The Calistoga Wildcats are gearing up for what could be a pivotal second year under head coach Devon Hooker-Hall, a squad that finished last season at 3‑6 in the North Central League III and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
With roughly 20 players on the roster and only two juniors returning, the team is still young, but the coaching staff sees a foundation to build upon after a season that served more as a learning experience than a win tally.
Key departures include starters Miguel Castro, Diego Cruz, Oscar Hernandez and Christian Ramirez, while the returning core features sophomore twins Damian and Daniel Sandoval, junior quarterback Giovanni Lopez, and linemen Christian Rodriguez and Eliel Morales, each poised to take on expanded roles.
Coach Hooker-Hall has emphasized camaraderie and steady improvement, noting that the players have bonded over the offseason and are eager to apply the lessons from the previous campaign as they step onto the field.
A Fresh Start on a New Field
The Wildcats will also be playing their inaugural game at a brand‑new 750‑seat all‑turf stadium, a venue that promises a modern backdrop for the team’s push to grow the program and climb the league standings.
The upcoming schedule pits the Wildcats against Roseland University Prep, Elsie Allen, South Fork, John Swett, California School for the Deaf‑Fremont, Potter Valley, Round Valley and Tomales, offering a diverse slate of opponents as the team looks to translate its offseason progress into on‑field results.
If the early signs are any indication, the Wildcats could be on the cusp of breaking their playoff drought and establishing a more competitive presence in the North Central League III.