Submitted photo – College of the Redwoods opens the new season at the Redwood Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

By Ray Hamill — College of the Redwoods kicks off the new football season and a new era on Saturday, giving local fans the opportunity to check out the highest level of football we’ve seen on the North Coast in several years.

This fall sees Redwoods make the jump from the American Division to the National Division, which means better teams traveling to the North Coast and the highest level of football we’ve seen here since Humboldt State (now Cal Poly Humboldt) sadly opted to drop its football program in 2018.

And CR head coach Jason White is excited about the opportunity.

“I think for the community, if you want to see a high level of junior college football, you’re going to see the highest level now,” White said. “And it’s a great opportunity for (local fans).”

The new era for the program begins when Sacramento City College travels to the Redwood Bowl in Arcata for a 1 p.m. showdown.

After winning back-to-back bowl games for the first time in almost 50 years, Redwoods decided it was time to make the switch to the National Division, and that means renewing some old rivalries this fall while competing in the National NorCal Conference.

In addition to conference road games at Sierra (Oct. 11), Shasta (Oct. 18) and Butte (Nov. 1), Redwoods will also host games against Santa Rosa (Oct. 25) and American River (Nov. 8).

It all begins this weekend, and White received some good news this week ahead of the big showdown.

Right tackle Ethan Bunton, the team’s only returning starting offensive lineman, was cleared to go after a preseason injury.

And that will give the offense a big boost after the unit struggled somewhat in a preseason scrimmage against Southern Oregon University two weeks ago.

“He’s had a really good fall camp,” White said of Bunton. “He’s playing a very high level right now and it’s great to see him back this week.”

As for what to expect from a Sacramento team that finished 4-6 a year ago, in the high-turnover world of JC football it’s difficult say.

But the Panthers return six starters on a defensive unit that was very effective against the run a year ago, and that could present the home team with a challenge.

Submitted photos

“We expect it to be a tough battle running the ball on them,” White said.

However, more than anything, the season opener will likely be decided by other factors.

“The first game always comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes, as cliched as that sounds,” said White, who has been coaching for more than 30 years. “Don’t turn the ball over and don’t do silly things like bad snaps or lying up in the wrong spot. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot. 

“The team that makes the fewest mistakes is going to win the game.

“And the other factor, honestly, is special teams. Special teams is a big factor in the first game. But we feel good about where we’re at on special teams.”

That’s an aspect of the team the Redwoods coaches and players have focused on ahead of the opener.

The Redwoods defense also looks good heading into the first game after a strong showing at the recent scrimmage. 

And after four weeks of preseason practice, the players are eager to face another team and take the field for a game.

“We’re excited to play a game,” the coach said. “I think we’’re ready at this point.

“You could definitely tell (on Wednesday). We were a little bit off. We’re just tired of the grind of playing ourselves. And we’re really excited to see what this team is about, to see what our identity is, and to see how we do at this level.”

As always, the game will be broadcast live on local ESPN radio, 107.3 FM and 1340 AM.