Get your pom-poms ready and make your cheer-voices loud, because the Portola Tigers are hitting the fields and courts this fall with full force! In football, volleyball, soccer, cheer and the newly added girls’ golf, Portola Junior-Senior High School’s athletes are prepared to make their community proud this season.
With over 100 students involved in the sports program, Vice Principal and Athletic Director Brian Sheridan emphasized the importance of teamwork and community support. “For fall, we offer all these sports and give students the opportunity to express their athletic ability. It’s a great way for them to meet new people and build camaraderie with other kids,” Sheridan said.
Varsity football: ready for the challenge
Coach Steve Heskett’s varsity football team is preparing for a season full of exciting matchups, including the highly anticipated homecoming game Oct. 4 against Hamilton. With assistant coaches Bobby Wise, Berto Pena and Tim Benbow, the Tigers are ready to roar.
Varsity football schedule:
- Sept. 20 at Modoc, 7:30 p.m.
- Sept. 27 vs. Los Molinos, 7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 4 vs. Hamilton (homecoming), 7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 11 at Williams, 7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 18 vs. Biggs, 7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 25 vs. Maxwell, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 1 vs. Redding Christian, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 8 at Quincy, 7 p.m.
Junior varsity football: rising stars
Under the guidance of coach Tim Benbow and assisted by Lalo Romero and Richard Blair, the junior varsity team is working hard to make its mark. Assistant coach Richard Blair is thrilled with the turnout. “We have about 100 kids playing football this year. That’s about 5% of our town’s population. That’s incredible, and it’s exactly what these kids need,” Blair said.
JV football schedule:
- Sept. 20 at Modoc, 5:30 p.m.
- Sept. 27 vs. Los Molinos, 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 4 vs. Hamilton (homecoming), 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 11 at Williams, 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 18 vs. Biggs, 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 25 vs. Maxwell, 5:30 p.m.
- Nov. 1 vs. Redding Christian, 5:30 p.m.
- Nov. 8 at Quincy, 5 p.m.
Cheer: rallying the crowd
Under the leadership of coach Stephanie Swissenbank, the Portola Tigers cheer squad will be front and center at every football game, bringing energy and spirit to the field. Their high-energy routines and enthusiastic cheers are key to keeping the crowd engaged and rallying support for both the varsity and JV football teams throughout the season.
Volleyball: spiking with spirit
The varsity volleyball squad, led by head coach Skyler Maddalena and assisted by Antonio Maddalena, is set for an action-packed season, with home games against Quincy, Williams and Maxwell. With a packed schedule, the Tigers are ready to make a name for themselves.
Varsity volleyball schedule:
- Sept. 12 at Chester, 5:30 p.m.
- Sept. 16 vs. Excel Christian, 5:30 p.m.
- Sept. 17 vs. Hamilton, 5 p.m.
- Sept. 19 at Williams, 5 p.m.
- Sept. 24 at Biggs, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 26 vs. Quincy, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 1 at Maxwell, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 3 at Hamilton, 5 p.m.
- Oct. 7 vs. Williams, 5 p.m.
- Oct. 10 vs. Biggs, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 15 at Quincy, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 17 vs. Maxwell, 6 p.m.
JV volleyball: building future stars
Coach Samantha (no last name), head of the JV volleyball team, is focused on developing young talent for the future of Portola High’s volleyball program. “We have a lot of seniors leaving, so we want to give them the best year while preparing our younger players,” said Samantha.
JV volleyball schedule:
- Sept. 19 at Williams, 5:30 p.m.
- Sept. 24 at Biggs, 5 p.m.
- Sept. 26 vs. Quincy, 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 1 at Maxwell, 5 p.m.
- Oct. 7 vs. Williams, 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 10 vs. Biggs, 5 p.m.
- Oct. 15 at Quincy, 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 17 vs. Maxwell, 5 p.m.
Soccer: kicking off strong
Coach Tony Bautista’s boys’ soccer team is ready for action this season, with several key matches on the horizon. Portola’s girls’ soccer team has one game remaining in Quincy on Sept. 16 at 3 p.m.
Boys’ soccer schedule:
- Sept. 10 at Princeton, 4 p.m.
- Sept. 17 vs. Paradise Adventist Academy, 4 p.m.
- Sept. 24 vs. Princeton, 4 p.m.
- Sept. 26 at Loyalton, 4 p.m.
- Oct. 1 at Quincy, 4 p.m.
- Oct. 8 at Paradise Adventist Academy, 4 p.m.
Girls’ golf: swinging into a new era
For the first time, Portola High is offering girls’ golf, and the team is gearing up for its inaugural season. The Tigers will head to Graeagle Meadows for their first match Sept. 18. This addition gives the girls another opportunity to showcase their talents and grow the sports program at Portola High.
Community support makes a difference
Sheridan is calling on the Portola community to show up and support the Tigers this season. “When the community comes to games and cheers on the kids, it really helps. The gate fees help with uniforms and keeping the programs running,” Sheridan said. “Come check us out and support our kids.”
With so many exciting games on the horizon, the Portola Tigers are ready to take the fall season by ambush. Whether it’s on the football field, the volleyball court, the golf course or the soccer pitch, this season promises to be filled with energy, talent and Tiger pride.
Go Tigers!
