Healdsburg Bulldogs Head for First Scrimmage This Weekend in Ukiah

A large number of boys and girls are playing or cheering for football teams this season.

Keziah Vanderford Holz, co-cheer director of Bulldogs, said 150 boys -- and one girl -- are suiting up for football at different age levels and 40 girls are on the cheerleader squad.

"It's really great," Holz said. "It keeps them involved, and the kids [15 to 17 year olds who are youth coaches] do community service."

Practices started July 25 at

The Bulldogs' first scrimmage, a half-game, will be at a jamboree this weekend in Ukiah. All five teams -- Mighty Mites, Junior Pee Wees, Pee Wees, Junior Midgets and Midgets -- will play practice games against the matching Ukiah Lions teams.

The Bulldogs' first home games at will be Sunday, Aug. 21 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bulldogs' five teams accept kids ages 7 through 15. Cheering squads run from ages 5 through 15, Holz said.

Healdsburg Bulldogs are members of the North Bay Youth Football and Cheering organization. Adult president of the teams is Maria Chesmore.

"They feed into the high school teams," said Holz, whose co-chair in the cheering squad is Sarah Plum.

Their season runs through October, with the playoffs and all-stars games going through December, Holz said.