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River Valley Falcons 2025
2024 Record: 2-8, did not qualify for postseason
Coach: Mikey Badaluco
League: Independent Schedule
YUBA CITY, CA (YSBC) – The River Valley Falcons enter 2025 with new faces at the helm and a new attitude. River Valley head coach Mikey Badaluco, took over the program at the end of this spring.
Badaluco stepped down from the head coaching position in Colusa in December 2024 after being the head coach for four seasons. Badaluco assembled a huge staff of 13 personnel between both levels with junior Falcons coaches, River Valley alumni, and old coaching friends.
“Everyone that’s here wants to be here and they’re excited to be here,” Badaluco said.
The attitude around the program is highly positive and it’s apparent that the vibes are at an all-time high as every athlete expressed that Badaluco and this staff have brought a higher spirit.
Offense
2026 Wide Receiver Jayden Walker – Walker hauled in 23 receptions for 336 yards last year, but is excited for his final high school season on the gridiron.
Walker said to YSBC that Badaluco and the staff have brought a ton of energy. That energy has helped bring the players in the program as Walker described the Falcons as a “whole unit”.
2026 Running Back Jesus Fernandez – Fernandez will be a major threat with the ball in his hands as his quickness jolts the River Valley offense.
Fernandez expressed to YSBC that when is going to have the open gaps this season, he is going to go through it and make it a track meet up the sideline.
He added that him and the other senior leaders are going to be holding one another accountable by being prepared and showing up daily with a great attitude.
Defense
2028 Defensive Tackle Dario Fujimoto – Fujimoto expressed to YSBC that he is excited for 2025 as it’s another year of growth and with the multiple assets of coaches added to the program, Fujimoto loves coming to work daily and giving it his all.
2028 Defensive End Derek Young – The young core of this Falcons’ roster is a quarter of the team and Young is a key part of that core. Young and Fujimoto both played for River Valley last season as freshmen on the varsity roster and gained a ton of experience.
The experience only helps the players get another year of line work and growth as athletes.
Schedule
8/22 at McClatchy (Sacramento) at Hughes Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
8/29 at Pioneer (Woodland), 7:30 p.m.
9/5 vs. Natomas (Sacramento), 7 p.m.
9/12 vs. Oakmont (Roseville), 7:30 p.m.
9/19 at Yuba City, 7:30 p.m.
9/26 at Davis, 7:15 p.m.
10/3 vs. Live Oak, 7:30 p.m.
10/18 at Redwood Christian. 1 p.m.
10/24 vs. Kennedy (Sacramento), 7:30 p.m.
10/31 vs. Antelope, 7:30 p.m.
The Falcons independent schedule allows them to compete and gain confidence each week this year. Badaluco expressed to YSBC that the schedule provides opportunities to win games and boost the morale of the program.
The annual Mayor’s Cup is a big game and Badaluco told YSBC that he’s always wanted to be a part of the in-city rivalry and added the team is excited to compete against Yuba City for the first time on Friday, September 19 and bring the trophy home for the first time since 2015.
Walker said when he walks out on senior night against Antelope on October 31, “I want to know that we’re going to be able to win.”
“We’re trying to change the attitude of where we’re hoping to compete, to where we expect to compete,” Badaluco said.
