The 2025 high school football season has concluded, highlighted by the CIF state championships across various venues in Southern California over the weekend. Several teams achieved significant milestones, with Chico High School clinching the Northern Section Division II title against Red Bluff, bouncing back from a challenging 1-9 record in 2024. Meanwhile, Gridley celebrated its championship victory in the NSCIF Division III, overcoming Orland after an undefeated regular season.
The championships also saw Winters halting Hamilton’s undefeated streak to secure the NSCIF Division IV title. Notably, Redding Christian emerged as the sole team to finish with a flawless record of 15-0, capturing the NSCIF Division V championship. In the CIF state bracket, Chico faced off against the eventual Division 5-AA champions, Bishop O’Dowd, in a thrilling 23-20 match. Gridley, despite an intense semifinal, fell to Lincoln with a score of 28-20, while Winters advanced successfully, defeating Morse 28-7 in the Division 6-A final.
Redding Christian also showcased its strength by winning a tightly contested semifinal 22-18 against Middletown, followed by a commanding 16-0 victory over Woodbridge in the Division 7-AA final. The performance of these teams has set the stage for the All-League selections, which have been announced for the Enterprise-Record’s coverage area encompassing Butte, Glenn, and Tehama counties.
All-League Selections Highlight Top Performers
The All-League football teams, voted on by local coaches, recognize outstanding players across multiple leagues. The Eastern Athletic League selections feature Titus Andrus of Pleasant Valley as the Offensive MVP and Jaret Bridwell of Red Bluff as the Defensive MVP. Other notable players include Zaiveon Patrick and Shamar Riley from Chico, alongside a strong showing from Pleasant Valley with multiple selections.
The Westside League also revealed its top talents, with Luke Schager of Orland earning Offensive MVP honors, while Jason Davis from Gridley was named Defensive MVP. Gridley’s impressive lineup includes key players like Eli Punzo and Rafael Franco, among others, who contributed to an outstanding season.
In the Sacramento Valley League, Lane Brown from Winters took home the Offensive MVP title, while Jayden Blackburn also from Winters was recognized as the Defensive MVP.
The Mid-Valley League saw Kayden Strong of Hamilton as the Offensive MVP, with Cesar Leal earning the Defensive MVP title. Aaron Elliot was also acknowledged as Coach of the Year for his efforts at Hamilton, reflecting the team’s significant achievements during the season.
The Northern Athletic League recognized Dowan Stephens from Lassen as the MVP, while the Shasta Cascade League honored Darren Goodman of Redding Christian as Offensive MVP. The NorCal 8-man League Division I also celebrated achievements with Levi Cavalli from Hayfork named MVP Offense and Tatem Wiley as MVP Defense.
These selections reflect the dedication and talent displayed throughout the season, marking a successful year for high school football in Northern California. The announcement of the All-Northern Section football teams, determined by local media, is anticipated in the coming weeks, promising further recognition for the outstanding athletes and teams in the region.
