The Rio Linda High School Knights varsity football team closed out their latest campaign with a respectable 5-6 overall record (3-3 in the Golden Empire League), a season defined by bursts of explosive offense, key defensive plays, and a hard-fought appearance in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs. While a tough first-round exit ended their post-season aspirations, the 2025 Knights demonstrated significant growth and resilience, laying a foundation for future success under the guidance of Head Coach Jack Garceau.
Corey’s Command and Dynamic Skill Positions
The engine of the Knights’ offense was undoubtedly senior running back and linebacker Joseph Corey. Corey was a dominant force, consistently leading the team in rushing with an average of 114.6 yards per game and proving to be a true workhorse. His performance in the playoff game against Hilmar, where he rushed for 207 yards and a touchdown, highlighted his impact, as the team went 4-2 when he logged at least 80 rushing yards.
Corey wasn’t the only star. The Knights boasted a dynamic set of skill players, including senior Imara Bell, who led the team in receiving yards per game (32.2) and was a ball-hawking presence on defense with seven interceptions on the season. Sophomore Messiah Mahomes and senior CJ Cook contributed significantly to the receiving corps.
On the defensive side, Joseph Kalanui anchored the unit, leading the team with 8.2 tackles per game, while junior Jessie Miralrio provided consistent pressure on the defensive line, logging a team-high 6.5 sacks. This core group of dedicated players embodied the kind of effort and leadership a successful program requires.
A Season of Momentum Swings and Hard-Fought League Play
The Knights’ journey to a .500 regular season record (5-5) was marked by a series of significant highs and tough defeats. They started with non-league losses to Lincoln and Marysville before finding their footing with decisive wins over Center and Foothill. Their league schedule in the Golden Empire League was a gauntlet, featuring a strong 3-3 finish that secured their playoff spot.
Key league victories over Natomas and El Camino demonstrated their ability to handle division rivals. However, close calls, like the nail-biting one-point loss to Woodland (28-29), proved how tight the competition was. The team’s ability to bounce back, ultimately finishing the regular season with a win against Dixon, showed character and maturity.
The season culminated in a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoff matchup on November 14 against the Hilmar Yellowjackets. Despite the exceptional effort from Corey, the Knights fell 41-13, ending their playoff run and closing the book on their 5-6 overall season.
Program Development and the Next Chapter
Coach Jack Garceau, an respected and experienced figure on the Rio Linda sidelines, has emphasized that his primary goal is to help each student-athlete become the best competitor they can be, instilling values that extend beyond the field. His philosophy centers on building a program with standards and traditions for long-term success.
The performance this season, especially the resilience shown in qualifying for the playoffs after recent down years, suggests the program is moving in the right direction. The emergence of impact players like Corey and Bell provides a template for developing talent. The challenge for the Knights now lies in translating those individual successes into deeper team wins, overcoming the perennial powerhouses in their league, and building sustainable momentum for the coming years.
The 2025 season wasn’t a championship year, but it was a crucial step in the process of rebuilding a competitive program—a season of lessons learned, hard yards gained, and a foundation strengthened.
Conclusion: The End of a Season, The Start of a Legacy
The final whistle against Hilmar marked the end of the season, but for the graduating seniors, and the underclassmen who will step up next year, the lessons of the gridiron will endure. The 2025 Knights faced adversity, found their stars, and earned their way into the playoffs. Their effort is a reminder that high school sports are not solely about the final score, but about the commitment, character, and community built in the journey. The expectation now turns to the offseason: how will this team use the hard-won experience of a playoff berth to fuel their drive for greater success next year? The stage is set for the Knights to take the next leap.
