Battle for Veterans: Kicks off 2012 High School Football Season | News

LOOMIS, CA - The Battle for Veterans football invitational will showcase some of the top teams from the Sacramento area against some of the best from Southern California.

Reigning D-III Sac Joaquin Section Champion Del Oro High School will highlight and host the two day event that honors wounded veterans.

The Golden Eagles, who are ranked 12th in the state by USA Today will face perenial powerhouse #18 Oaks Christian on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Franklin of Elk Grove will open the tournament against Thousand Oaks Friday night at 5:00 p.m. Saturday night #14 Granite Bay will take on #6 Westlake.

For the Del Oro players who are looking for a third straight Section Title and another run at a State Bowl (runner-up in 2011 to Helix High), the invitational is about more than just football.

"My grandpa was a veteran, my brother in law is a Marine and has gone through a couple of tours of Iraq, " said Del Oro Tightend/Linebacker Dalton Hudec. "And it means a lot to play for something bigger than the school and bigger than the sport."

"We feel like if we can bring some people into the stands to watch our football game and bring attention to our troops and honor them for all the sacrifices they make then it is a win win," said Del Oro Head Coach Casey Taylor.

The Battle for Veterans Football Invitiation begins on Friday at August 24th and 25th, and then the tournament continues in Southern California the following weekend with Del Oro facing Westlake and Granite Bay facing Oaks Christian.