He talks to the boys, mostly 13 and 14 years old, about their troubles at home, in school and with girls. He gets calls from parents when their sons are acting up or struggling with grades. And, he even taxis a few of them to practice.

JIM BAIRD / Union-Tribune The Balboa Raiders, who went undefeated this year, practiced into the night to get ready for the American Youth Football Championships in Tucson next week. More than 90 squads from across the country will compete starting Tuesday.

Many of Coach Ralph's 34 players are from working class families, mostly in southeastern San Diego. Several only have one parent or guardian, who works multiple jobs and has little spare time.

Coach Ralph, a city sanitation worker, said he can relate to the boys. And they have responded on the field and off.

The team was undefeated this year in the midget division of the San Diego Youth Football and Cheer league. By doing so, it qualified for the American Youth Football Championships in Tucson next week.

The Balboa Raiders and its counterpart in the junior midget division are two of five teams from San Diego scheduled to compete, said Jerry Dini, a tournament organizer. The other teams are from Mira Mesa-Scripps and Valencia Park football associations.

More than 90 squads from across the country will compete from Tuesday to Saturday, Dini said.

All of the teams have faced obstacles throughout the season. For the Raiders, it has taken the dedication of the coaches and parents to overcome their challenges.

If it wasn't for the coaches and team "moms," Terreance Harris couldn't play football. Harris, 14, is one of six children under the care of his grandmother, who lives in Emerald Hills. She works, he said, so she doesn't have time to take him to practice or help with homework.

JIM BAIRD / Union-Tribune With the defense dominating in practice, Balboa Raiders coach Ralph Taylor, (right) known to his players simply as Coach Ralph, asked his offense "Can you score?" while coach Tony Gomes waited for an answer.

Coaches pick Terreance up for practice after work and they have helped him improve his grades. Some of the coaches and moms also have taken him in, spending weekends at their homes.

"Before I started playing, I didn't have anything to do or anyone to look up to," Terreance said. "I feel welcome here."

When Brandon Ursulich joined the team five years ago, he had terrible grades and was prone to fighting. Coaches helped him with his homework before practice and taught him to control his temper.

"I came here and it's been better for me," said Ursulich, 15, who lives with his aunt, brother, sister and some cousins in Oak Park. His little brother plays on the junior midget team.

Team moms help tutor some boys during the first hour of practice. Coach Ralph, 46, has benched players for bad grades or getting in trouble.

Players must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average. They submit report cards to the coaches throughout the season.

This will be the Balboa Raiders first trip to the National Championships in several years. Teams have qualified in recent years, but couldn't afford to go, said Ed Smith, president of the Balboa Raiders Association.

This year, coaches and families were intent on sending them. The boys excelled all season, worked hard to maintain their grades and stayed out of trouble, Smith said.

Coaches and supporters have scrambled to raise half of the $10,000 needed for the trip. Players and cheerleaders are trying to raise the other half and plan to seek donations at the Chargers game against the Oakland Raiders tomorrow at Qualcomm Stadium.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these kids and these coaches," said assistant coach Steven Billingslea.

The assistant coach's son and nephew, who also lives with him, play on the team. But, like Coach Ralph, he considers all the boys as his to watch over.

"I got a big heart," said Billingslea, who has had a hungry player or two over for dinner a few times. "I love these kids."

To play for the Balboa Raiders organization, which has teams playing at different age levels, coaches and players said, is to join a family.

The four team moms wash their jerseys, cook for them and do fundraisers all season to help cover the $180 registration fee and buy equipment for those who can't afford it. The money also helps cover costs to play in local tournaments.

Two of the moms host weekend gatherings, said Jaione Cummings, known as "The Mom." On any weekend, Cummings said, up to 10 boys will stay at her daughter's Mission Valley house.

Her daughter spent $300 on pizza one weekend. But the moms don't mind.

"We know the situations," Cummings said.

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