Back in 1960/61/62, there was a Pop Warner Football team called the Redwood Jr. Giants. That experience was the most memorable of my growing up years. We'd practice (and run countless laps) at Redwood High. Big games we played at the College of Marin. If there are any members lurking out there, get in touch. The team was un-defeated at least 3 years in a row, winning California Championships and national Championships. A couple years after I moved on, Pete Carroll played on the same team. (Pete is the USC head coach now). In an interview, Pete also gave lots of credit to those formidible years on the Jr. Giants, especially then coach John Pagliaro.
As 13 and 14 year old kids, one of the BIG thrills was palying an exhibition scrimmage at half time in the new Candlestick Park during half-time of a 49er's game with about 50,000 people in the stands. Back then we thought, 'WOW, look at all these people watching us'! Now I realize, no one was watching, they were probably all taking bathroom brakes and ordering more beer!
Oh well, it felt good back then.