By JAMIE GENTNER Daily News Staff Writer YREKA - When players joined the Klamath Crusaders semi-professional football team, they gained what became a sort of extended family. But two local Crusaders share the joy of recently adding to their family off the field. Joe Hopper of Yreka and Rafael Garcia of Montague are new daddies. Hopper and Garcia also have other similarities. They both went to Bonanza High School in Oregon and to community college after that. Garcia attended Klamath Community College and technology school in Phoenix. Hopper went to College of the Siskiyous and then pursued a career in law enforcement. Garcia, a 6-foot 27-year-old, plays offensive and defensive line for the Crusaders. He began playing with the team three years ago when some friends he played football with in high school formed the team, but he took a few-year hiatus to get married and settled. This year, he came back full of passion. "I have such a love for the game," he said. "My senior year of high school, I was voted most inspirational on the team, but I wasn't satisfied with just that award. I enjoyed being part of a team, and I wanted that again." He and his wife just finished an adoption process last week, and he can now call himself both a Crusader and a father. Hopper, 30, has lived in Siskiyou County for 10 years and has played in the Oregon Football League just as long. The 6-foot-7-inch defensive line and offensive tackle began his semi-pro career when a friend's father started the Merrill Stallions, where he played with fellow Siskiyou County resident Rob Walton for a year. The current Klamath Crusaders team was formed when the owners of the Klamath Crusaders and the Merrill Stallions merged in 2000. One of the partners, Don Nelson, bought out the team and remains as the primary principle and coach of the non-profit organization today. The 2A division team plays eight games during the regular season, and if all goes well, there are playoffs and region titles to go for. Hopper has also coached youth football in Bonanza and acts as a coach figure for the Crusaders while playing. "I like helping teach the younger guys the drills and plays," he said. "I've always liked playing, and there are a lot of guys I played with in high school on the team. It's good relief, and I just love the game." The other love of Hopper's life is his family - a wife and, now, four children. The newest addition to the family was born just last week. Both men enjoy the family-oriented teams and caring spirit of the players. "I love the feeling that you know the team is trying to do so much for the community and the growth I've seen," Garcia said. The team isn't there just to play. They're trying to be part of something besides just themselves." The team does that through the Pay It Forward philosophy. The Crusader's Web site describes the Pay It Forward philosophy as "an obligation to do three good deeds for others in repayment of a good deed that one receives, and that such good deeds should be things that the person cannot accomplish on their own." When supporters contribute to the Klamath Crusaders, they "pay it forward" through community involvement, Pop Warner programs and a college scholarship fund. Those three programs, in turn, help out the youth in the community, and the pattern continues. Many of the local players find it hard to participate in the program because of the long distance, but Garcia hopes to take a more active role in the coming years. "I'm trying to plan ahead to be able to help more with that aspect of the program," he said. "I think it brings the community closer. People get out and do things they sometimes are too shy to do. It's good to know you can help someone in that way - to go out and give back. It shows the team isn't out there for selfish ambition. We're out there to help too." And even though Hopper can't help out with a busy job and large family, he said he constantly talks about the team and the good they do. "Being on the team is great because it challenges you. It makes you push yourself and others past your limits," Hopper said. "It makes you step up your ability to complete, making you a better player and person. That's why I try to get information out about it." Both men hope to continue playing for the Crusaders in years to come. They also hope others will try out for the team or come and watch the games. "This is a good, fun family experience," Hopper said. "People in the community should take the chance to drive out, watch the games, support the team and get involved in a great sport." For more information on the Klamath Crusaders and their Pay It Forward Campaign, visit www.klamathcrusaders.com. Additional information on Pay It Forward can be found at www.payitforwardmovement.com.