The Ceres Cowboys will begin their 35th season of competition later this month.

The organization's youth football players and cheerleaders completed their third week of practice at Mae Hensley Jr. High on Friday.

"We got a lot of positive things going on," said John Thompson, second-year president of the Cowboys. "Everybody is fired up about this year. We're looking forward to having a successful season."

Ceres' membership consists of 95 football players and 50 cheerleaders, aged 6-14.

Tisha Hale (varsity), Joe Guin (junior varsity), Langston Kennedy (novice) and Jennifer Szuggar (junior novice) have been tapped to fill head-coaching positions with the Cowboys' football teams.

Amber Rose (varsity), Maribel Gutierrez (junior varsity), Amanda Turner (novice) and Christina Arreola (junior novice) will coach Ceres' cheer squads. "We'll be competitive at all levels," Thompson said.

The Cowboys compete in the Delta Youth Football League.

DYFL opponents include: the South Stockton Vikings (8/23), Chavez Jr. Titans (8/30), Delta Patriots (9/5), Manteca Chargers (9/12), Weston Ranch Jr. Cougars (9/19), Tracy Raiders (9/26), Stockton Bears (10/4), Hayward Aggies (10/11), Dublin Fighting Irish (10/18), Manteca Timberwolves (10/24) and Modesto Empire Vikings (10/31). "DYFL is always competitive," Thompson said. "I can't compare it to other leagues. I try to focus on the Ceres Cowboys and that's it."

Ceres will open the 2015 campaign against the visiting South Stockton Vikings on Aug. 23. The contest will be staged at Central Valley High School.

Varsity, junior varsity, novice and junior novice will play at 4 p.m., 2 p.m., 12 p.m. and 10 a.m., respectively.
Practice sessions will continue to be staged Monday through Friday, from 6-8 p.m.