HUTTO, Texas — The Hutto Youth Football and Cheer Association (HYFCA) was established in 2001 to give children in the area an opportunity to play football and learn cheerleading skills to give them the experience and values necessary to play or cheer later in life on a bigger level.

As highlighted in their mission statement, “The mission of the HYFCA is to teach children the fundamental skills of football and cheerleading while implementing and encouraging good sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, courage and loyalty for oneself and others; and for all HYFCA athletes, parents and spectators to follow the rules of the game and the bylaws as set forth by the league.”

By allowing children the opportunity to learn to play football and to cheer at an early age, while teaching them the standards and values needed to become competitive and fair athletes, they can prepare themselves for two of the most highly valued sports in the state of Texas.

Texas football, especially on the high school level, is notorious all around the country. The movie “Friday Night Lights” portrayed Texas high school football in the most accurate way, by showing America how entire Texas towns prepare for the big Friday night football showdown. It is literally a way of life in some of these smaller cities. From August until November, everything is focused on high school football.

In Hutto, a city of around 26,000, the Hutto Hippos high school football team is THE team. Young boys in the area find their heroes in these players and it makes them want to follow in their footsteps. HYFCA allows these bright-eyed and potential future football heroes the chance to start fulfilling their dreams at an early age.

When certain things are done in Texas, they are done big, and cheerleading is a full-fledged sport. Moms of little girls begin outfitting them in tiny cheerleading uniforms as babies. As these baby girls get a little older, they come to the football games with their families, but their eyes are only on the cheerleaders. They watch in awe at their amazing tumbling skills, their high jumps, the challenging stunting, and they chant along with every cheer. These little girls begin tumbling classes at a young age to give them the skills needed to become a great cheerleader. And don’t tell these future team supporters that cheerleading is not a real sport. Cheerleaders are some of the strongest and most talented athletes because of the intensity and necessary strength and endurance and potential danger of the sport. HYFCA gives the little girls a chance to be a part of the “Friday Night Lights” someday, as well as performing in competitive cheer.

HYFCA offers programs for boys and girls ages four to 13. Flag and 7-on-7 football is open to kids ages four to 12. Tackle football is available for children ages five to 13. Cheerleading is offered to girls ages four to 13. This allows these young kids the chance to play football and learn cheerleading skills by the time they get to high school, because high school is when things get serious. Children always have future dreams, and in Texas, they dream big.

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