Local

Sacramento prep football in 2025: 5 stories on rivalries and challenges

Stories by Sacramento Bee journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles on Sacramento prep football in 2025 focus on rivalries and challenges, particularly highlighting teams like Folsom and Grant, and emerging talents in the region. Each article touches on the competitive nature of the sport, the prominence of certain teams, and the evolving dynamics of high school football in the Sacramento area.

Folsom High, with 18 Division I athletes, emerges as a powerhouse, leading the Sac-Joaquin rankings. At Oak Ridge, coach Casey Taylor champions the Trojans' strength, highlighting the commitment and drive of the team’s returning starters. McClatchy and Davis high schools provide a narrative of perseverance, battling through lean football years. Twelve Bridges, a new contender, rebounds with a statement victory, demonstrating their resilience after last season's state championship loss.

No image found
Head coach Casey Taylor shouts commands before a play during a football practice at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. By DANIEL HEUER

NO. 1: FOOTBALL IS BACK, AND IT RULES SACRAMENTO’S HS SPORTS SCENE. WHAT TO KNOW IN 2025

High school football is a celebration, a work in progress with teenagers and coaches on full display on fall Friday nights. | Published August 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Davidson

Varsity football players listen to head coach Casey Taylor after a practice at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. By DANIEL HEUER

NO. 2: WHO ARE SACRAMENTO-AREA PREP FOOTBALL POWERHOUSES? DON’T SLEEP ON OAK RIDGE

So it’s the Folsom Bulldogs and the Grant Pacers on top of the Sacramento-area high school football pecking order, and who else? | Published August 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Davidson

No image found
Grant Pacers tight end Zo Edwards catches a pass during during practice on campus in Del Paso Heights on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. By JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS

NO. 3: BEE’S BEST: SIZING UP THE TOP 30 FOOTBALL TEAMS IN SACRAMENTO AREA TO START 2025

The Sacramento-area high school football landscape is different than the metro regions in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Orange County. | Published August 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Davidson

Twelve Bridges High School coach Chris Bean tips his hat and addresses his team after the Raging Rhinos defeated the Falcons 42-7 Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento. By Chris Biderman

NO. 4: TWELVE BRIDGES OPENS 2025 WITH NEW SQUAD AND STATEMENT WIN AFTER CIF STATE LOSS

It wasn’t quite the start head coach Chris Bean was looking for. | Published August 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Biderman

The McClatchy Lions' Jake Ferris (4) celebrates a game-tying touchdown with teammates at the end of the first half against the Davis Blue Devils on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento. By NATHANIEL LEVINE

NO. 5: FOR HARD-KNOCK MCCLATCHY AND DAVIS, PREP FOOTBALL OFFERS LESSONS IN PERSEVERANCE

Marc Hicks doesn’t have to do this. | Published August 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Davidson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.