Football season is right around the corner on the North Coast, with both high school and College of the Redwoods football action opening up later this month. It’ll be a new look for Redwoods’ football as the program ascends to the NorCal Conference in the National Division after having previously competed in the American Division.

The move comes after a slew of strong seasons from CR, including last season in which the Redwoods went 8-3 and won the Grizzly Bowl for a second-straight season. In the three seasons since CR’s football program has returned under head coach Jason White, the Redwoods have had a combined record of 24-9 but with the jump in division, CR will face more talented teams this fall.

Before the regular season, CR will host a scrimmage against Southern Oregon University on Aug. 16 at the Redwood Bowl at Cal Poly Humboldt. Southern Oregon is an NAIA program rather than a junior college team, but they will serve as good preparation for the Redwoods’ team.

Two weeks later, CR will begin the regular season with a home non-conference matchup against Sacramento City College, which is coming off of a 4-6 season in 2024. In Week 2, Redwoods will hit the road to face Foothill College in another non-conference game. CR will host Diablo Valley College in Week 3 before again hitting the road to play the College of Sequoias in Week 4.

The Redwoods will wrap up their non-conference schedule with a home game against Monterey Peninsula, which defeated CR 21-7 last season. Before beginning NorCal Conference action, Redwoods will have a bye in Week 6 before back-to-back road games against Sierra College and Shasta College.

Last season, Sierra went 6-5 while Shasta went 4-6, finishing in third and fourth place in the NorCal Conference. CR will return home Week 9 to host Santa Rosa Junior College. Santa Rosa didn’t get a NorCal Conference win in 2024 and finished just 2-8 overall on the season.

Following Santa Rosa, CR will again hit the road in Week 10 to face Butte College, who went 10-1 last season in what will be a test for the Redwoods to begin the month of November. The Redwoods’ regular season will come to an end at home in Week 11 against the defending NorCal Conference champions, American River College.

American River gave Butte their only loss in 2024, as they went unbeaten in conference play and 7-4 overall. Following the game against American River, CR will hope to be eligible for either playoffs or a bowl game, which would take place Nov. 22, with playoffs continuing through Dec. 13.

This might be CR’s final season using the Redwood Bowl as their home field, with renovations continuing at Community Stadium on College of the Redwoods’ campus, with the field potentially being ready for games by the 2026 season.

Cal Poly Humboldt adds new assistant coach

The Cal Poly Humboldt softball team announced last week the addition of assistant coach Kelly Wooden to the program. Wooden comes to the ‘Jacks after serving as a coach and college liaison with the California Breeze softball organization.

Wooden played collegiate softball at the University of Oregon from 1992-1996, which included a NCAA Super Regional appearance by the Ducks.

“I’m excited to welcome Kelly to our program,” Humboldt head coach Megan Correia said. “She brings over two decades of coaching experience across multiple levels, and her knowledge of the game, combined with her passion for player development, will be a tremendous asset to our team.”

Humboldt went 28-22 last season and finished 17-18 in the CCAA, narrowly missing out on a CCAA Tournament appearance. Wooden will take over a quarter-century’s worth of coaching experience to Humboldt, having served as a junior college coach, a travel ball coach and as a private instructor.

“I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to return to the collegiate softball stage as a coach,” Wooden said. “Humboldt has a rich history of successful softball and strong traditions. My hope is to positively contribute to that legacy and help build on Coach Correia’s vision for the program.”

Dylan McNeill can be reached at 707-441-0526.

Originally Published: August 6, 2025 at 1:59 PM PDT