Payson Roundup

Payson Youth Football officials will host two upcoming player and cheerleader registrations, from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow, July 25, and those same hours on Aug. 1.

Both will be held at Chapman Auto Center.

Originally, a benefit car wash was to be held Aug. 1, but that has been canceled.

“Due to the water shortages all around, we will not be having the car wash but will continue with registration” league officer Pamela Way said.

The league is open to players and cheerleaders entering kindergarten through eighth-grade.

The participation fee is $100, but scholarships are available for children who need financial assistance.

Practices begin Aug. 3 and the first games are scheduled for Sept. 5.

The league is also accepting applications for coaches.

To apply or for more information about the league, call (928) 978-6723.

Say bye to Tontozona

With the Arizona State University Sun Devils abandoning Camp Tontozona in favor of their blow-up practice facility in Tempe, the only site football junkies can now get their annual preseason gridiron fix is Northern Arizona University, where the Arizona Cardinals train.

The team returns to Flagstaff July 29 and begins practice July 31. During the Cards’ stay in the high mountain retreat, which wraps up Aug. 20, the team will hold 23 practices.

Diehard fans won’t want to miss the annual “Red & White” scrimmage set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., Aug. 8.

Most all practices are held on the grass fields just east of Walkup Skydome. In inclement weather, the practices are held in the Skydome.

The Cards will hold two night practices — Aug. 5 and Aug. 18. Both to be held from 7:05 to 9:10 p.m. at Lumberjack Stadium on the school’s campus.

With the Cards coming off a Super Bowl season, fans can bet the family farm the practice sessions will draw an overload of curious onlookers and media from around the world.

Remembering Gracie

It’s time for equestrians to begin gearing up for two of the most anticipated competitions of the summer season — the Gracie Haught Memorial Barrel Race and the Memorial Roping.

The barrel race will be held Aug. 7 and the roping Aug. 8 and 9. Both will be held at the Payson Event Center.

If the roping and racing is as successful as last year, the events will provide plenty of fun for all ages.

Town Recreation Specialist Charlene Hunt calls the three days of festivities a proper and fitting “kick off to the August Doin’s Rodeo Week.” It begins Aug. 14.

Most importantly proceeds from the barrel racing and team roping benefit the Gracie Lee Haught Memorial Fund that has as a mission to promote and support the health, safety and well-being of local children.

The memorial is held each year in memory of Gracie Lee who died at 3 years of age after a tragic accident near Star Valley. She was the daughter of Hooter and Bobbie Jo Haught.