The River City High School Raiders defeated the Wood High School Wildcats at home on Sept. 26, winning 21-10. Photo by Seth Henderson

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - River City High School’s Raider Stadium was filled with spectators, performers, players and volunteers for the varsity football team’s game under the Friday night lights on Sept. 26 against Vacaville’s Wood High School Wildcats. 

River City High athletic director Brittany Adame said that game nights provide opportunities for community-wide support for different events and programs, such as middle schoolers and young cheerleaders performing during the halftime show. The yearbook staff, known as “Raider Reporters,” gains production experience and the facilities staff is immensely supportive during events, according to Adame. 

River City High School Raider Austin Grozav makes his way back to the field after halftime against the Wood High School Wildcats on Sept. 26. The Raiders played at home and won 21-10. Photo by Seth Henderson

“We’re really trying to bring Friday night lights back to West Sac,” Adame said. “Make it a fun, family-safe environment.”

Israel Galvan, a fourth-grader in West Sacramento, said he watches his brother, Marcus Galvan-Valdez, a Class of 2026 player on the varsity roster, play underneath the lights and that his favorite part is when the Raiders score a touchdown, get a sack or make a tackle.

“It’s really fun because you don’t know what’s going to happen, if they’re going to lose, if they’re going to win,” said Israel, 10. “If they win by a landslide or lose really bad.”

The Raiders ended up winning their game against Wood 21-10, putting them 3-2 overall, as of press time, and third in the league, according to River City’s MaxPreps data. A crowd of about 1,000 was at the Sept. 26 game. 

Before the third quarter against the Wood High School Wildcats, the River City High School Raiders warm up and practice a few snaps in their home stadium on Sept. 26. Photo by Seth Henderson 

During school events, the campus places a specific focus on the school’s security, Adame said, and this year, the staff is paying even more attention to it. The prime objective as a school is to make sure students, athletes, families and the community know that everyone is safe, according to Adame. 

According to a River City High’s website announcement, it outlined a metal detector screening policy, as well as other policy updates involving bags, drinks, behavior and re-entry. To see the announcement, visit https://rivercity.wusd.k12.ca.us/?capostid=125426.

The announcement stated that the West Sacramento Police Department would be present at every game, partnering with the school staff to facilitate a safe experience for all attending. Officers stood near the entrance gates of the stadium and they engaged with the community, smiling and laughing with students nearby. 

The River City High School students and staff prepare for their homecoming on Oct. 24, building floats and getting ready for a parade and a football game in addition to other festivities throughout the week. The athletic director said that the football team will host the Vacaville High School Bulldogs for the first time after realigning the high school football leagues. 

“We’re getting our cheerleaders, our band prepped. It’s also going to be senior night that night and we’re looking forward to having a great, safe homecoming against Vacaville,” Adame said.

Principal Jacob Geivett, a River City High alumni, said that “it fills my heart” to see the community embrace the school, its students, events, athletes and cheerleaders, making the experience the best it can be. 

Geivett said that the homecoming game is expected to be a great highlight for the school to show off its spirit and pride throughout all avenues of the school. 

“We’re going to have the floats; we’re also going to have a big rally,” Geivett said. “So this is our first rally of the year that our leadership kids have really been planning, involved in and invested. We just love to see students in action.”

Under the Friday night lights, the River City High School Raiders varsity football team practices a few snaps before starting the third quarter against the Wood High School Wildcats at home on Sept. 26. Photo by Seth Henderson 

River City High School is at 1 Raider Lane, West Sacramento. To see a full list of campus events, visit https://rivercity.wusd.k12.ca.us/Calendar.