Lifelong Winning Plays

Hilltop Cowboys and Hous Foundation Team Up to Support Columbus Youth

If you ask Dave Johnson, president of the Hilltop Cowboys Association, what his goals are for the youth he coaches, he will talk about more than football. For him, football is a way to keep kids off the streets, and teach lessons about leadership, communication, and respect.

Coach Johnson says he tries to prepare his players for the next level: high school. There are lessons they carry with them beyond the football field, including being coachable, being respectable, and being a good listener.

The Hous Foundation believes all youth should have access to activities and the benefits of participation. Youth who participate in activities have better attendance rates and higher grades, and are more likely to attend college than students who do not participate in activities.

The Hous Foundation initially supported two families with fees for Cowboys’ cheerleading. After learning about the Cowboys’ goals for youth, the Hous Foundation reached out to league administrator Andrea Johnson to see if there were other families they could help. Since that phone call in mid-August, the Hous Foundation has supported 20 Hilltop Cowboys cheerleaders and football players ranging in age from 6 to 13.

Good luck this season – and this school year - to Laylianna, Leilani, Calvin, Zachariah, Sir, Alexan’Dhar, Jhream, Isaac, Ma’leek, Andre, Luke, Zymir, Carter, Daysen, Kevion, Carter Kortez, Daysen, Antoine, Juelz and all the Hilltop Cowboys!

To learn more about the Hilltop Cowboys, check out this 2022 story from ABC6.