Rising Stars in the North Bay
As the summer heat settles over the North Bay, high school football teams are gearing up for the 2026 campaign, and a handful of standout pass catchers are already drawing attention.
At Analy, senior Clayton Graham returns after a junior season that saw him notch 347 yards and seven touchdowns on just 19 receptions, earning a second‑team All‑Redwood Empire Conference berth. Fellow senior Logan Willis, also from Analy, built on that success with 522 yards and seven scores, positioning himself as one of the most reliable targets in the league.
Cardinal Newman’s Owen Grafe, who burst onto the scene as a sophomore with over 700 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, is expected to continue his upward trajectory, while teammate Zion Cargill, a first‑team REC‑Adobe selection, brings a 310‑yard, two‑touchdown resume and a three‑star prospect rating from Eastern Washington.
St. Vincent’s Barrett Chaput led the REC‑Bay division with 547 yards and six touchdowns last year, and Windsor’s Blayke Ferronato topped the REC‑Adobe chart with 914 yards and five scores, showcasing a blend of size and speed that has college scouts intrigued.
Transfer Impact and Outlook
Other notable names include Napa’s Matthew Hutchinson, who missed his junior year due to injury but earned second‑team honors as a sophomore, and Rancho Cotate’s Jerrek Buckley, a first‑team REC‑Adobe pick with 316 yards and a touchdown. Prospects such as Amir Jones, Mikey Navarro and Gavin Sutter from Analy add depth to the talent pool.
The article also notes recent transfers that could reshape the receiving corps. Latif Basile arrives from St. Helena, while Trevor Marsh, who led McKinleyville with 617 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore, is expected to make an immediate impact.
Coaches across the Bay Area are watching these developments closely, as the blend of returning veterans and fresh talent promises to elevate the competition level. With the season still months away, the early buzz suggests that the North Bay’s receiving corps could be among the most potent in the state.