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San Francisco Chronicle
11-08-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
What are the top storylines ahead of the 2025 high school football season?
The 2025 high school football season is here. Practices started last week in the Central Coast Section and this week in the North Coast, San Francisco and Oakland sections. The first games will be played Aug. 28-30. Heading into the 20th season of the CIF-sanctioned Bowl Championships, state titles will be defended by St. Vincent de Paul-Petaluma (Division 4-AA), American Canyon (5-A), Moreau Catholic-Hayward (7-AA) and Balboa (7-A). Metro teams who were state runners-up last season are De La Salle-Concord (Open), Pittsburg (1-AA) and Amador Valley-Pleasanton (3-AA). Here are some of the top storylines heading into this season: Will De La Salle finally win another state championship? Northern California's most successful program — with a record 17 state-championship appearances and seven wins — keeps knocking at the door, but hasn't won a crown since 2015. Justin Alumbaugh, in his 13th season, said this is one of his fastest teams, led by state 100-meter record holder Jaden Jefferson, a running back-cornerback, committed to North Carolina. What impact will Frank McManus have at Cardinal Newman? It's rare for a Southern California coach, especially one with the track record of the former Mater Dei-Santa Ana head coach, to make his way to the North Bay. But McManus, who was let go after leading the Monarchs to a state and mythical national title, has a point to prove and the Cardinals — with loads of resources and history — might be a perfect landing point. They also feature one of NorCal's top sophomore QBs in Tino Retamoza. With a sudden pipeline of talent and state championship coach Adhir Ravipati, the Crusaders went a combined 14-9 in 2023-24, their first two winning seasons since 2015. Led by a fleet of college-bound receivers for Vanderbilt-bound QB Mike Mitchell to throw to — as well as the Bay Area's top 2026 recruit, 6-foot-6, 330-pound Oregon-bound lineman Tommy Tofi — Riordan is looking to win its second CCS title (and first since 2007). How many yards will Jhadis Luckey rush for at his new school? After leading NCS with 2,053 rushing yards and 31 TDs last season at California-San Ramon, the Fresno State-bound RB will be piling up yards for his third school in three years at Clayton Valley Charter-Concord. Luckey attended Manteca as a sophomore. Who will replace Pittsburg QB Marley Alcantara? The Pirates were 25-4 the last two seasons and won and lost in the NorCal Division 1-A championship game (both against Folsom). Despite being hit hard by graduation, they have a strong core to step right in, including notable transfers WR/DB King Wade (from Valley Christian) and RB/LB Siotame Finau (from Utah). The one position not yet secured is QB after two-time All-Metro performer Alcantara graduated. What will Lincoln look like post-Phil Ferrigno? One of the most successful coaches in the history of the Academic Athletic Association stepped down in the spring to focus on his health. The three-time state champs have turned to Jovani Serrano as their new leader. Will Balboa secure its spot as a new AAA power? With Lincoln possibly vulnerable, coach Fred Valasquez and his Bucs, coming off their second state title in four years, seemed primed to take over. Especially with the return of RB Joseph Smith, the Metro's top sophomore from 2024. The Wildcats won their second CCS Open Division title in 2024 under second-year coach Lenny Vandermade, who left for Santa Margarita-Rancho Santa Margarita (Orange County). The Wildcats immediately promoted offensive coordinator and former All-Metro quarterback JaJuan Lawson to lead the program. How will other new Metro coaches fare? Beyond McManus, Serrano and Lawson, other new head coaches looking to make big splashes at big programs include American Canyon (Marcellus Holmes), Heritage-Brentwood (Nick Wisley), Monte Vista-Danville (Joe Wingert), Oakland Tech (Bruce Lavlolette), James Logan-Union City (Immanuel Pride) and Skyline-Oakland (Jason Houston-Suell). Is Serra back in mix? After three straight state Open Division berths, the Padres slid to 5-6 in 2024. They'll need to replace 11 offensive starters, but coach Patrick Walsh likes the looks of his talented, but inexperienced squad that includes 6-2, 185-pound safety Malakai Taufoou (16 reported college offers), OL Lemani Fehoko (12 offers),TE Jace Cannon and one of NorCal's top kickers, Saul Marks. Will other Oakland schools gain ground on McClymonds? McClymonds, which hasn't lost an Oakland Athletic League game on the field in 16 seasons, might have a competitor in coach Tee-Hendrix-led Oakland, which features returning QB Lenox Colvin (25 TDs) and Colorado State-bound WR Yasser Jackson. Mack, winner of four state titles under Michael Peters, returns All-Metro players Rahsjon Duncan, Koi Taise and Phillip McElroy. St. Vincent de Paul-Petaluma QB Gabe Casanovas (North Bay co-POY, 3,747 total yards, 47 TDS, two straight state titles), Sonoma Valley coach Max Pond (12-1 in his second season after program went 24-69 in previous 10) and Pittsburg WR-DB Kenny Ward (Metro Freshman of the Year).
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola under fire after sudden decision that cost over 100 workers their jobs: 'We did not make this decision lightly'
Imagine waking up to find out that the biggest employer in your town is shutting its doors — and there's little you can do to stop it. That's the tough reality that 135 workers in Napa County are now facing as Coca-Cola moves forward with the closure of its American Canyon bottling plant. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Coca-Cola will permanently shut down its 350,000-square-foot American Canyon facility by June 30, impacting 135 jobs. The plant, which has operated since 1994, produces beverages such as Powerade, Minute Maid, Vitamin Water, and Gold Peak Tea. Coca-Cola acquired the site in 2002. In a statement on the closure, the company said: "We did not make this decision lightly and are grateful to have had the opportunity to have been a part of the American Canyon community." Workers are being encouraged to seek positions within Coca-Cola's broader network or with partners such as Refresco. While shifting production overseas may streamline operations, the decision still devastates local workers and removes sustainability oversight from the equation, which is a growing concern as companies seek cheaper manufacturing options. The closure is part of Coca-Cola's "asset right" strategy, a business model focused on transferring bottling duties to third-party firms such as Refresco, allowing Coca-Cola to concentrate on brand management rather than in-house production. According to a study in Science Advances, Coca-Cola is responsible for 11% of the world's branded plastic pollution. Analysis from Oceana, shared by the Guardian, estimated the company's plastic waste in oceans will hit 602 million kilograms (over 1.3 billion pounds) per year by 2030. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Some bottlers, such as Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, have introduced recyclable plastic ring packaging as a step forward, but critics argue these efforts don't go far enough, especially since plastic can generally only be recycled a handful of times before it is no longer strong enough. That's in contrast to aluminum and glass, which are infinitely recyclable. Microplastics continue to pollute oceans and harm marine life, and without more aggressive action, Coca-Cola's footprint will only grow. While little can be done to reverse Coca-Cola's decision in Napa, consumers can still push the company to take greater environmental responsibility. Greenpeace is collecting signatures for a petition on Coca-Cola's plastic pollution, urging stronger action against waste. Shoppers can also send a message through their choices by supporting brands that take sustainability seriously. Some companies now offer eco-friendly recycling programs and store credit as part of broader circular economy efforts. It's one small step that can lead to real change, showing big brands like Coca-Cola that people care about their communities and their planet. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
