Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

This Friday marks the start of the high school football season with the High School Playbook Blitz, and the first games on the Central Coast are set for Thursday.

Leading up to Thursday, each division will be analyzed, starting with the Santa Lucia division.

Last season, Santa Cruz High came out of nowhere to dominate, finishing 7-3 in the regular season, going undefeated in league play, and ultimately falling in the quarterfinal round of CCS to Sobrato High School.

The team was made up mostly of seniors last season, with quarterback Nevin Ristic and receiver Rocco Marini as the big playmakers for the Cardinals.

There is curiosity about who will step up this year as the team tries to win back-to-back league titles.

The Santa Lucia division will look a little different this season. Every team from last season remains, but there is one addition: the Greenfield Bruins, who moved from the Mission South division after finishing 1-9 in 2025.

Tuesday, the focus will shift to the Mission South division, headlined by King City.