The Riordan football team went 6-4 this season, including a game where they beat an undefeated 8-0 St. Francis team. This allowed them to get a spot in the CCS Open/Division 1 playoffs where they went on to defeat Soquel High school 41-7. However, in a hard-fought battle, they lost to Los Gatos 28-35 in the semi-finals.

Despite the heartbreaker, the football season was filled with challenges that the team was able to triumph over and improve upon.

Athletic Director Bob Greene said, “Our varsity football team showed great resilience, overcoming a slow start to the season and continuing to work hard through adversity, leading to five consecutive victories through the end of the regular season and into the playoffs, including our first CCS playoff win since 2015.”

The football team also triumphed over rival Archbishop Mitty, beating them 42-13.

Quarterback Michael Mitchell ’26 was named the Offensive Player of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports.

Mitchell said, “My mentality going into next season is keeping the main thing the main thing and just falling in love with the work and the process to get to not only my goals, but our team’s goals for next season. ”

Despite their shortcomings, the players are excited for the next season.

Offensive Lineman Tommy Tofi ’26 said, “I think we can improve on starting off strong in the beginning of the season and carry on that same energy we had from last season into next season.”

The playoff loss has been something the team as a whole has been able to reflect upon.

Wide Receiver Tyrone Jones III ’27 expressed what he hopes the team can accomplish next year, saying, “I hope the team can represent the R well in every aspect of life. That we can do well in the classroom and on the field.”

He added, “We are all student- athletes. Student comes first.”

The football team will hope carry the momentum they had from this year and win titles in the WCAL, CCS, Regional, and State.