My high school football team in suburban San Diego -- when I was there, anyhow -- was, well, pretty average. Some-times we wore bags over our heads to the games, the type of cleverness that can only come from the mind of teenage boys with limited athletic ability.
(To be fair, I was on the track team. But, to be even more fair, let's just say I didn't set any records. My extracurriculars, you may be unsurprised to learn, were more focused on the school newspaper and theater roles than coverage routes.)
The mediocrity (and, occasionally, mendacity) of the teams I've chosen to root for is a bit of a theme. My first heartbreak happened in 1984 when the San Diego Padres were defeated by the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. (The Padres' second trip to the series, in 1998, was even worse.) The Clippers decamped to Los Angeles around the same time -- which, given their play in the last 40 years, probably was a net positive to my mental health.
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The Chargers -- known locally as either "The Traitors" or "The Tenants," a reference to their renter status at their Inglewood home -- left San Diego in 2017, but not before delivering decades of subpar seasons and, let's not forget, getting thrashed by the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX.
San Diego sports fans are a resilient bunch, though. We've had to be. And while I've found other teams to cheer for over the years, I'd never experienced the kind of magic that American Can-yon High football has delivered this season. The Wolves have done what so many teams I've cheered for never could: put together a truly magical season, capped by a commanding 43-20 victory over Lassen High last Saturday in the CIF Division 5-A Northern California championship.
As Sports Editor Andy Wilcox wrote in his piece about the game, senior Khairee Baker set the tone early, responding to Lassen's opening score with a jaw-dropping 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Baker, who ran a 10.92-second 100-meter dash in track last spring, electrified the crowd and shifted the momentum decisively in American Canyon's favor.
"That boy is so fast, you want to put the ball in his hands to see what he can do with it," Wolves head coach Trevor Hudson told Andy after the game. "He did a hell of a job."
Baker wasn't the only standout. Senior quarterback Mason Harris turned in a stellar performance, throwing three touchdown passes to three different receivers and adding two rushing touchdowns. Harris' leadership and versatility have been a cornerstone of the Wolves' success all season, and he shined once again on Saturday.
It's been a joy to watch Harris and his teammates this year. Week after week, they've delivered performances that demonstrate not only their talent but also their grit and determination. And while football is often described as the ultimate team sport, the Wolves' defense proved just how critical that collective eff ort can be.
That defense held Lassen's formidable rushing attack -- led by two juniors with over 3,800 combined yards -- to a fraction of its usual production. Players like Evan Emmons and Jona Budu delivered clutch plays, shutting down drives and keeping the momentum firmly on American Canyon's side. The Wolves' ability to step up in high-pressure situations has been a defining characteristic of their season, and it was on full display Saturday.
The Wolves' incredible run continues this Saturday at Long Beach City College, where they'll face the Palmdale Falcons for the state title. Palmdale got to the game with a narrow 41-38 win over Selma in the Southern California championship. At 12-2, the Wolves are poised to make history, regardless of the outcome.
Photographer Nick Otto will be on the sidelines to capture every moment, and our sports desk, led by Andy, will provide comprehensive coverage of the game and its aftermath. It's been a generation since a Napa County team has reached these heights, and the pride radiating from American Canyon is palpable.
For the players, this season is a moment they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives. But for the community, it's about more than just the wins and losses. It's about coming together, about rallying behind something bigger than ourselves, and about celebrating the eff ort and determination it takes to achieve greatness.
It's also a reminder of the power of sports to inspire. Whether it's Baker's electrifying speed, Harris' poise under pressure, or the defense's collective strength, these young athletes are showing us what's possible when talent meets hard work.
So here's to the Wolves -- players, coaches and fans alike. You've already made us proud.
Go get 'em! (And, on a personal note, my Golden Bears rolled over Stanford in the Big Game last month. Maybe things are finally looking up for me.)
Editor & Publisher Dan Evans can be reached at 707-256-2246 or [email protected].
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