Football's future

The Chrysler 300 with Texas plates wasn’t just a way for the Ramirez family to get from Hereford to Clovis' Jim Hill Field.

“Locker room, training room, (team) bus ...” said Juan Ramirez, minutes after pulling countless items from the trunk to be placed on his son, 10-year-old Isaiah Ramirez, for a game of Pee Wee football.

The same scene played out in countless vehicles, which filled the parking lot from Guy Leeder Softball Complex to Dickenson Park along 14th Street.

The Clovis league, director Sammy Herrera said, is the biggest he knows of within 150 miles, with 26 teams in three grade-school divisions.

“It’s a good atmosphere for the kids,” said Chris Liscano, one of five coaches for Herd Black. “This is where it all starts.”

Over the years, Herrera said, the league has grown to 450-plus players, with three divisions by school year (first/second, third/fourth, and fifth/sixth).

“(It’s fun) just seeing them become future Wildcats, Steers, Mules, Chieftains, Whitefaces,” Herrera said. “We keep up with them once they get in (school-sponsored football).”

The parents and volunteers have plenty of keeping up to do now, with 10 games on Saturday and three on Sunday.

The Ramirez family was there to watch Isaiah and Herd Black of Hereford, Texas, in a cross-state battle against Muleshoe.

Herd Black was 1-1 coming into the matchup, but would have to wait Saturday afternoon as early games ran over their allotted times — before Friona could even get off the field at 2:30 p.m., Clovis Trojans coach Danny Damron was yelling for the kicking team to get on the field.

Games will run over times, Herrera said, but every attempt is made to keep games under an hour. With 12-minute quarters, the clock only stops for scores and possession changes.

Herrera said he would like to have multiple games and he’s getting requests to expand the league, but neither are likely without access to a second field. He encouraged anybody who could help to contact league officials.

The Trojans were there to face the Gators, whose parents had set up camp with umbrellas by one of the 80-yard field’s end zones.

Elena Costa, who has three sons in the league, said her family comes each weekend, “to watch the kids enjoy themselves — and beat up on the Red Raiders.”

Her words were within earshot of Herrera, who is also a coach for the Texas-based Red Raiders. Herrera said that game would be Sunday, and the parents were already exchanging playful jabs.

But the kids know sportsmanship — and “a lot of hard work,” 12-year-old Red Raider J.J. Herrera said — and enjoyment are just as important experiences as bragging rights.

Gator Jaylen Harris had all three covered, as he wore a “Got 3?” shirt, emblematic of his three consecutive titles with the team.

“We get to play teams from out of town, play friends and have fun,” said Jaylen, 11.

Herrera said teams get seven regular season games and three playoff games.