Photo by Sarah Quist – The last time the Corsairs played a game of football was back in 2019. The team returns to the field at Merced College on Saturday.

By Ray Hamill — What has 77 freshmen and one sophomore? This year’s College of the Redwoods football team.

And that will make the program’s return to the field a challenging prospect coming out of the starting gates.

The good news is that many of the players have been practicing together for much of the past eight months and they collectively have brought a businesslike approach while surpassing head coach Jason White’s expectations in the spring.

On Saturday, they kick off a new era for Corsairs football, and indeed college football here on the North Coast, as they end an almost three-year hiatus.

And clearly they understand the rich tradition they are now a part of.

“They have been working their butts off the whole time,” White said. “Not having sophomores to show them the ropes, that has been a hard thing, but it’s something they’ve been working through.”

The Corsairs open the new season at Merced College on Saturday and the coaches and players are chomping at the bit to get going.

“We’re ready to play. We’ve been practicing for six weeks,” said White, who added with a chuckle, “I’ve been a head coach (here) for 16 months and I haven’t coached a game.

“It’s time. We’re ready to go and we’re really excited to have college football back on the North Coast.”

Merced College will present a challenge, but it should be a winnable game for the young Corsairs.

Last season the Blue Devils were 6-5.

“I think it will definitely be a challenge for us,” White said. “It’s a game that could go either way.”

Saturday’s kickoff is set for noon, but unfortunately the game will not be streamed live.

The Corsairs will host San Jose City College next weekend at the Redwood Bowl.