Six Qualify for SJS Volleyball and Flag Football Playoffs

Oct 27, 2026 02:44PM ● By YSBC Sports

The Yuba City Honkers celebrate a point in their win over River Valley on Oct. 15. Photo by Steven Bryla

YUBA-SUTTER, CA (MPG) - The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section released their postseason brackets for girls volleyball and girls flag football on Oct. 23.

Between the two sports, there were seven total teams representing the area in the playoffs as we both had four volleyball and three flag football teams.

Yuba City senior middle blocker Olivia Wade (5) blocks a shot on Oct. 15 during the Honkers’ victory against River Valley. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Volleyball

Division III

Yuba City - Yuba City punched its ticket to the Division III bracket for the second-straight year after a fourth place finish in the Foothill Valley League.

The Honkers were given the No. 5 seed in the bracket as they hosted the Buhach Colony Thunder on Tuesday.

Yuba City was one of four Foothill Valley League teams that qualified in the Division III bracket.

Despite the 3-3 finish to end the regular season, the Honkers played more competitively in their second go-around of FVL competition.

If Yuba City was successful in defeating Buhach Colony, they played the winner of Roseville/Los Banos on Thursday.

River Valley opposite hitter Jazlyn Villa (3) saves a ball on Oct. 15 during the Falcons’ defeat to Yuba City. Photo by Steven Bryla

River Valley - For the second-straight season, the River Valley Falcons clinched a playoff berth in the Division III and will play the same opponent from 2025.

River Valley hosted Oakdale instead of traveling down to Stanislaus county this year and it was the first home-playoff game the Falcons have hosted since 2018.

River Valley went 2-4 in the second half of FVL play and has not played any opponent south of Sacramento yet.

Oakdale finished fourth in the Valley Oak League where they had teams qualify for Divisions I-IV.

If the Falcons were victorious on Tuesday against the Mustangs, they would have played the winner of the Ripon match on Tuesday as no opponent was determined yet, due to a play-in game scheduled for Monday.

Division IV

Wheatland - The Wheatland Pirates hit the road for the third-straight year in the SJS postseason as they traveled to Sacramento and took on West Campus on Tuesday night.

Wheatland was given the No. 13 seed in the Division IV bracket as they finished 4-3 in the second half of Pioneer Valley League play.

Although the Pirates lost three matches in the second half of league play, including a four-set defeat to Lincoln on Oct. 21, Wheatland ended with a higher winning percentage over the Fighting Zebras that gave them the edge in the D-IV bracket instead of participating in a play-in game.

Wheatland and West Campus played one another in the CIVT Sacramento tournament on Sept. 26 where the Warriors swept straight-sets.

If the Pirates were successful against West Campus, they would have traveled and played the winner of El Dorado and Central Catholic on Thursday.

Wheatland junior libero Addison Gaylord (5) passes the ball on Sept. 28 during the Pirates’ win over Lincoln. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Division V

Sutter - The Sutter Huskies claimed their first No. 1 seed in the SJS since crossing over from the Northern Section in 2022.

There’s no question Sutter is one of the clear favorites in D-V after a dominant Golden Empire League run where they went 14-0 and only dropped one set during league.

The Huskies eclipsed the 30-win total in a season for the first time since 2010 after winning the “Battle of the Buttes” and a strong showing at the High Sierra Invitational in Reno.

Sutter has more depth than most of the rosters in the D-V bracket and they have a great opportunity to bring home a blue banner.

The Huskies met Bear River in the final last year at Cosunnes River College in Sacramento for the D-V final.

Sutter’s hosted the winner of John Adams Academy (Roseville)/ Westlake Charter on Tuesday.

Sutter senior libero Madeline Fedora (5) digs a ball on Aug. 27 during the Huskies’ defeat to East Nicolaus. Photo by Steven Bryla

Flag Football

Division IV

Wheatland - The Wheatland program hosted its first home-playoff game in program history and there are a ton of reasons to be excited.

The Pirates finished second in the Pioneer Valley League and earned the No. 7 seed in the D-IV bracket against Hughson.

Wheatland searched for its first playoff win for the program against the Huskies on Tuesday and if they were successful, they would have played the winner of Orestima/Livingston.

The Pirates youth had momentum of winning their final-three league games to end the regular season.

Wheatland freshman Caylee Hansen (22) rushes the ball on Oct. 13 during the Pirates’ defeat to Gridley. Photo by Steven Bryla

Division V

Sutter - The Sutter Huskies returned to the postseason this year after missing the cut in 2025.

Sutter increased their wins by 11 from 2025 so far, which was aided by a 5-2 in the second half of Golden Empire League play.

The Huskies have multiple offensive weapons they can utilize and their defense is top-notch.

Sutter was given the No. 6 and hosted Foresthill on Wednesday. If the Huskies were able to pick up the win over the Wildfires, they play the winner of River Islands and Leroy Greene Academy on Monday, Nov. 2.