Hometown Report

One thing about college football coaches: They have to trust their recruiting base on a player hunch.

Somewhere, there's a college football program that needs a kicker or punter.

Fred Claussen and Tom Relles eyed the crowd in the Dante Club banquet room last week and let out a collective sigh of relief.

CARSON – It's the "wow experience" that Roger Blake wants high school athletes to experience at the end of a championship season, particularly if the executive director of the CIF and his selection-process crew receive a "wow" bid from a venue and city.

Kevin Blank eyed his right knee the other day, massaged it and sighed.

Fifty years ago, Folsom High School finished its football season 9-0 and ranked No. 1 in Northern California.

It has been 21 years, but it's still fresh for Jerry Haflich – and still meaningful to the American River College football coach.

Eric Musselman's crash course in college basketball nearly reduced him to an anxious, sweaty mess.

The Highway 50 corridor has become a championship expressway this high school football season.

Jerry Haflich crashed into fullbacks as a linebacker at Sacramento State in the early 1980s, absorbing his share of bell ringers before they became commonly known as concussions.

The best high school basketball team in the region is off to a rousing start without even slipping on uniforms or hightops.

Jeff Badger and his father aren't talking much these days. They'll meet for a moment before this afternoon's 59th Causeway Classic in Davis and offer more grim-faced nods than a warm embrace.

Jeff Tisdel tackles every task with emotion.

So, really, who would win? Line up Armond Armstead in a four-point stance inches across from his taller kid brother Arik in the backyard of their Elk Grove family home.

Shaq Thompson returned to Northern California last Friday night and was greeted by an unfamiliar chorus.

Angus McClure is in a profession of projection and pursuit.

Kevin Willhite can't watch "Next Generation 21" without fidgeting in his seat, exhibiting all manner of body English.

Deonte Williams embraces his gold teeth and their powers. Swears by the piece – or grill – with all the seriousness of a forearm to the face mask.

John Bloomfield's death Sunday at age 23 reverberated across the region, from Del Paso Heights, where he played at Grant High School, to Rocklin, where he excelled for two seasons at Sierra College, to Sac State.

Kevin Johnson was upstaged a bit last week.

The old gang will gather at Sacramento State on Thursday night to exchange basketball stories and compare knee replacement scars.

Chase Zamora pulled off his helmet and there it was in full view.

Max Miller vows to salvage a season that was on the brink of collapse when players were at odds with the previous coach over team policy.

The football fortunes are sinking in Berkeley.

The Kings are back, and so is Scott Moak.