The Santa Rosa High School football team finished the previous season with a 4‑6 record, placing fifth in the Redwood Empire Conference Bay division and falling short of the playoffs.
Graduation has stripped the Panthers of 24 seniors, leaving a roster dominated by juniors and just five seniors, among them four sophomores, which sets the stage for a markedly younger side.
Head coach Roy Keegan says the team’s hard work is evident, and he expects the newcomers to step up as they adjust to new roles and opponents within the REC‑Bay.
A Youthful Push
Among the returning talent, running back Andres Nandalapa is slated to anchor the offense, while sophomore quarterback Felix Bowen will take the snap, replacing junior Morgan Marhenke, who will now play wide receiver and defensive back.
The defensive line will see Colton Duncan and Yoshi Hambly‑Jones return as key contributors, and junior Tre Cena is expected to fill the playmaking void left by Rashai Thompson.
The schedule features early tests against Windsor, Casa Grande and Analy, followed by league matchups with Montgomery, Petaluma, Piner, Novato, Vallejo, San Rafael, Napa, Analy, Tamalpais and Sonoma Valley.