Battle at the Capital (Image by: David Alvarez)

The second annual Battle at the Capital football competition took place at Del Oro High School’s Golden Eagle Stadium over Labor Day weekend. Along with a series of football games, the event honored those who have given their lives in the armed forces. Proceeds from the event will benefit wounded veterans.

The event has been so successful that next year’s will take place in both Northern and Southern California. Should the growth continue, organizers are shaping expansion plans that may spread across the United States.

Battle at the Capital (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Battle at the Capital kicked off with a golf tournament on Aug. 29 at Sun City Lincoln Hills. The Wounded Veteran tournament was a successful fundraiser.

The Del Oro High freshmen and J.V. football teams faced Westlake High on Friday night. The Armed Services/Pat Tillman Memorial game had Del Oro going against San Jose’s Leland High in a varsity game.

Battle at the Capital (Image by: David Alvarez)

Several vendors set up along the perimeter of a baseball field along the way to the stadium. Booths representing all areas of military service were set up to disseminate information and answer any questions.

A memorial was erected toward the center of the field, including a Traveling Tribute Wall. The Military Expo included exhibits of every branch of our nation’s armed forces and displays of military vehicles.

Battle at the Capital (Image by: David Alvarez)

The four games on Saturday featured Capital Christian against Scotts Valley, Bear River against Hug (Reno), Pleasant Grove against Lincoln (Stockton). The Remembrance and Wounded Veteran Memorial game featured Del Oro against Westlake.

Sunday’s games featured two Pop Warner games in the “midgets”category: 11- to 14-year-olds. In the first midgets game, the Del Campo Junior Cougars led the game from start to finish, beating the Granite Bay Junior Grizzlies.

Del Campo vs. Granite Bay (Image by: David Alvarez)

The second game pitted the Woodland Junior Wolves against the Roseville Junior Tigers. The game started off fairly evenly, and during the first quarter the score was Woodland 6 and Roseville 8. Things did not get better for Woodland as Roseville’s offensive machine took over.

Woodland vs. Roseville (Image by: David Alvarez)

Woodland played their hearts out, but injuries and the small size of their squad, in terms of the number of players, prevented them from making substitutions as the game went on. Exhausted and weary, Woodland was soundly defeated.

Battle at the Capital half time show (Image by: David Alvarez)

After each game, a player from each team received the Character Award for exhibiting outstanding character and sportsmanship. It was great to see these young kids play. Many of these players will move to high school football next year.

The audience filled up the stands in anticipation of the Placer County Sheriff Guns going up against the Nevada County Sheriff Posse in the Battle of the Badges.

Prior to the game, the U.S. Army Silver Wings Jump Team amazed the audience with their skills. The team consisted of three jumpers who parachuted from a Coast Guard plane carrier.

Battle at the Capital (Image by: David Alvarez)

Battle at the Capital. U.S. Army Silver Wings (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Guns, considered the home team, had a great crowd on their side of the field. Both teams seemed courteous toward each other, in some cases helping each other up off the ground.

Battle at the Capital (Image by: David Alvarez)

The game was sort of sloppy at the beginning as both teams fumbled and lost possession, but Placer County took control and led 18-0 by halftime. During the break, the audience was treated to a performance by the Lad Lions, the Mountain Lions’ cheerleading squad, and a K-9 unit demonstration.

Battle at the Capital (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Guns maintained their energy in the second half for a final score of 33-8.

Battle at the Capital (Image by: David Alvarez)

The event brought together the community, law enforcement, military branches, sponsors and football to honor the military.

A short video highlights many of the activities that transpired during Labor Day weekend. The teams for next year’s Battle at the Capital have already been selected, and preparation for the event has also begun.