By Ray Hamill — It’s not a game College of the Redwoods wanted to play in this year, but it’s one they’ll gladly accept and one that shows the program’s continued development.
On Saturday afternoon, CR will play in a bowl game for the fourth time in five years, and it’s the team’s first in the more competitive National Division after making the switch from the American Division before the 2025 season.
It also showcases just how far the local community college program has come in a short time since the team was reinstated in 2022 after a brief two-year hiatus.
And while head coach Jason White and his players had hoped to win a conference championship and qualify for the state playoffs, an appearance in this year’s Sequoia Bowl in Visalia is still a noteworthy achievement.
“We had hoped to skip a step and go to the playoffs this year, and I felt we were in a position to do so and couldn’t quite pull it off,” said White, whose team started the season 4-0, but would lose three conference games in October to finish up 6-4. “But this is a natural progression and I feel like it’s definitely a right step.”
Redwoods will play host College of the Sequoias, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
And there appears to be little between the two teams in terms of quality.
Both teams are 6-4, with Sequoias ranked No. 19 in the state, just one spot ahead of Redwoods.
And that’s not the only thing these two teams have in common.
“I feel it’s going to be a very close game,” White said. “Offensively they shift and motion quite a bit, like we do, they’re big up front and they want to mix it up and stay balanced.”
The good news for CR is that the roster is at “full strength for the most part,” according to the coach, after several players battled the flu bug in the lead up to last weekend’s game at Laney.
As for who will start at quarterback, White is keeping his cards close to his chest.
Starter Kasen Covert missed the last two games because of injury, with Landon McKee filling in admirably, which gives CR two quality options.
Whether Covert will be ready to go on Saturday, and whether White will go back to the eight-game starter, remains to be seen.
But whoever does start, the keys to victory won’t change much.
“We have to protect the ball No. 1, “ White said. “And we did a good job of that last week. And slowing them on offense and getting a couple of turnovers.
“I always believe we’ve got to establish the running game. Our formula for winning doesn’t change week to week.”
One thing Redwoods does have in its favor is a good recent record in bowl games.
CR hosted the Grizzly Bowl in 2022, 2023 and 2024, winning the latter two against Hartnell (63-0) and West Hills Coalinga (37-26) after losing to Monterey Peninsula in 2022 (42-21).
Saturday’s game kicks off at 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on YouTube.
