CHICO — New to the Chico Enterprise-Record this high school football season will be the weekly rankings, released in each Thursday’s newspaper and online at chicoer.com.
The preseason rankings released this week look at teams’ returning players from last season, taking into account statistics and results from the 2023-24 season. Rankings will change each week depending on results, results, performances and strength of schedule.
Northern Section Top 10 preseason football rankings
1. Pleasant Valley
Next game: Friday, 7 p.m. vs. Central Catholic
Pleasant Valley is clearly the team to beat in the Northern Section entering 2024-25 season, coming off a runner-up finish in the CIF Division 5-AA state championship game in 2023-24. The Vikings have tight end/defensive end Gavin Garretson, the All-Northern Section Defensive MVP from last season, returning for his season year, along with All League running back Lucas Benson and lineman Chase Jones. Quarterback Joseph Garcia also returns for his senior season.
PV has 40 seniors on its roster, and 39 juniors add to the depth of the Vikings’ team. PV has its typical difficult preseason schedule with teams such as Central Catholic, Spanish Springs and Cardinal Newman as the Vikings hit the road for four of their five preseason games before opening Eastern Athletic League play at home against Red Bluff on Oct. 11.
2. Shasta
Next game: Aug. 30, 7 p.m. vs. Lassen
Quarterback Justin Polley returns for his senior season to lead the Wolves, after throwing for 1,437 yards, 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions as a junior. Polley’s leading receiver, Owen Boesinger (31 catches, 571 yards, nine TDs) also returns, along with fellow receivers Nic Wilkes (175 yards, 2 TDs) and Arbour Duggan (156 yards, 3 TDs).
Wilkes was the Wolves’ leading tackler last season, with Joshua Welch one tackle behind. Both linebackers return for their senior seasons. Last year the Wolves, who finished 8-4 and 3-2 in Eastern Athletic League play, had 30 juniors on their roster. Despite no official roster being posted as of Wednesday, a large senior class is anticipated to be returning.
3. Foothill
Next game: Aug. 30, 7 p.m. vs. Reno
Foothill has battled Chico and Pleasant Valley for the top of the EAL standings the last few seasons, and should be another team to watch with 21 seniors returning.
The Cougars lost quarterback Hunter Marchione, lead rusher Dawson Mortimer and lead receiver Christopher Hall, but incorporated two returning QBs and six returning rushers last season into their offense. Junior receiver Mason Calvert will be a name to watch after catching 11 balls for 204 yards and two TDs as a junior. Kaden Mannion, the Cougars’ leading tackler, returns for his senior season at middle linebacker.
4. Lassen
Next game: Aug. 30, 7 p.m. at Shasta
Lassen has a large returning class from last season. After finishing 7-6 and 4-1 in the Northern Athletic League before a loss in the NSCIF D-III championship, the Grizzlies are No. 1 in the MaxPreps Northern Section Division III preseason rankings. Eleven seniors and 11 juniors return on a roster comprised of 11 seniors and 34 juniors.
Junior Dathen Moore, who rushed for 1,120 yards and 14 TDs as a sophomore, returns for his junior season along with an experienced offensive line. Quarterback Zayn Wright, who played last season primarily rushing the ball, replaces Nick Osborn. On defense Peyton Garate, who had 115 tackles as a junior, returns to lead the Grizzlies at middle linebacker.
5. Orland
Next game: Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. vs. Paradise
Orland is returning just three starters from last season, but has continually shown an ability to run the ball successfully with each incoming class. In the past three seasons the Trojans have finished 11-2, 15-0 and 9-3, and running back Manny Rodriguez looks to be the next running back to lead the charge.
The Trojans are returning 12 seniors, and have 21 juniors and one sophomore. However, just three starters are returning. Rodriguez at running back/defensive back, Isaac Velasquez at RB/DB, and Gilberto Casillas at left tackle all return as starters in hopes of continuing the rushing-led scoring for the Trojans.
On the bubble — Colusa, Gridley
Colusa returns after winning the CIF Division 6-A state championship last season, but this year’s team is without several key players — most notably quarterback Bo Coronado. The RedHawks also lost their top five receivers and top four leading tacklers, but last season’s leading rusher Adan Travis — who rushed for 671 yards and 18 touchdowns — returns for his senior season.
Gridley enters this season under new head coach Daniel Zumwalt, and is coming off a 4-1 Butte View League record in 2023-24 and a semifinal loss in the Northern Section Division III playoffs. The Bulldogs are returning 15 seniors on their 26-player roster, including quarterback Gus Stogsdill. Stogsdill threw for 1,60 yards and 10 touchdowns, and leading receiver Riley Engelmann will be his leading target. Leading tacklers Jason Davis (138) and Diego Corona (109) also return for a team which lost just eight seniors following last season.