Yuba City senior libero Dessa McDonald (22) goes for a dig during the Honkers’ sweep over Del Campo on Sept. 24. Photo by Steven Bryla

YUBA-SUTTER, CA (YSBC) - As the 2026 postseasons between volleyball and flag football are scheduled to commence towards the end of October for the Sac-Joaquin Section, there are multiple teams in our areas who are fighting for the opportunity to bring a blue banner back to hang in their gym.

As our predictions may not be agreed upon by everyone, we will validate that we have seen each program throughout the season so far.

Sutter senior setter Kalena DeLaCerna (9) sets a pass on Oct. 7 in the Huskies’ sweep against Rio Linda. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Volleyball

Sutter - The Huskies are en route to their fourth league title in a five year span since joining the SJS and have continued to dominate the Golden Empire League.

Sutter has dropped only one league set to Woodland in the middle of September and are on the cusp of clinching their third-straight GEL title.

The Huskies have a quadruple threat of different attackers that can deliver powerful strikes over the net.

Sutter has proven they are battle tested throughout the year as they won their “Battle of the Buttes” tournament back in the final week of August.

The next weekend, the Huskies took their yearly trip to the High Sierra Invitational in the Reno area and competed against high-caliber competition.

Sutter and Bear River have been neck-and-neck throughout the entire year as the Bruins defeated the Huskies in the 2025 SJS D-V finals.

Sutter beat Bear River in the final of the Battle of the Buttes tournament at the end of August.

Hopefuls

Yuba City - The Honkers dropped their last three Foothill Valley League matches heading into their matchups this week, but Yuba City has a chance to end their 10-year playoff drought still.

The Honkers had a strong showing in the “Battle of the Buttes” tournament at the end of August at Sutter.

Yuba City head coach Heather Harness is in her second year at the helm of the program and there is plenty of depth around the roster to be excited about.

Honkers senior outside hitter Maddison Jackson is leading the way with 3.1 kills per set and Yuba City was successful in beating three of their final four opponents this week

River Valley junior opposite hitter Hailey Runyen (10) strikes the ball on August 27 against Orland. Photo by Chris Pedigo

River Valley - The younger Falcons have shown strong sessions of play throughout the year and been able to keep pace towards the third guaranteed playoff position.

River Valley senior outside hitter Parveen Takhar has been the lighting spark for the Falcons as she has proven to be throughout her career.

River Valley had a couple of major road tests this week at Roseville and Yuba City.

The Falcons were ranked 10th in the updated rankings by MaxPreps on Oct. 8, despite having a couple significant victories over teams ranked ahead of them.

Lindhurst - The Blazers are fighting for a postseason berth as they have one of the youngest rosters in the SJS.

Lindhurst has nine freshman on their roster and head coach Alexis Hammett is excited about the future moving forward with the program.

The Blazers entered the week ranked 24th in the SJS D-IV points and three of their final four games of the season are against squads they fell to on the first half of league play.

The chemistry at Lindhurst has been built through multiple seasons already playing together through the club and middle school levels.

Lindhurst freshman Citlali Santillan (20) receives a serve on Oct. 8 in the Boazers’ win over Highlands. Photo by Steven Bryla

Wheatland - The Pirates have put themselves into a favorable position to be in to close out the Pioneer Valley League schedule.

If Wheatland was able to pick up a home-league win against Colfax on Wednesday, that should be enough to lock a tie for third in league at the least.

The trio of hitters that consists of Charley Leonard, Megyn Camacho and Fernanda Bandini have led the way for the Pirates this year.

Freshman setter Alexandra Garcia handling the passing duties has shown growth and maturity that will only benefit every motion moving forward.

The Pirates were ranked 11th in Division IV poll released by MaxPreps released on Oct. 8.

Wheatland freshman quarterback Caylee Hansen (22) drops back to pass the ball on Sept. 22 in the Pirates’ defeat to Colfax. Photo by Steven Bryla

Flag Football

Wheatland - The Pirates are a young group with half of their roster being underclassmen, but they are an explosive group.

Freshman quarterback Caylee Hansen has an arm that is able to connect with receiver on long streaks and has great vision downfield that can stretch out a play for a first-down run.

Defensively, Wheatland is ferocious and puts a ton of pressure on the opposing offensive.

The Pirates had a big matchup with Gridley on Tuesday, that will determine major seeding placement for both squads in the SJS playoffs.

Sutter - The Huskies are another exciting program to watch in the area as they can do it all on both sides of the ball.

Sutter picked up a huge win over Rio Linda last week and remained tied for second in the GEL.

The Huskies are led by senior running back Audrey Horn, who is gaining interests from multiple institutions to play at the next level.

On top of Horn, the receiving core of multiple downfield threats is a blessing for junior quarterback Shae Crosby.

Sutter entered this week ranked fifth in the SJS Division V rankings with four remaining games.

Gridley - The first Northern Section team to have a flag football program is in its second season and continues to beat one SJS after another.

The Bulldogs are third in the PVL standings behind Colfax and Wheatland.

Gridley’s offense is led by Delano Cloyd, Kaydenze Pruitt, Natalie Mariscal and Ava Campos.

The Bulldogs will be competing in the SJS Division IV playoffs if they are selected into the postseason.

Gridley has already surpassed their win total of seven in 2025 and could end up doubling it up if they win out their remaining three games of the regular season.