At Stone Ridge Christian High School (Stone Ridge), the football team is amped up and full of zeal as the Knights prepare for the 2026 season. Last season, Stone Ridge won a share of the Southern League title in the Sac-Joaquin Section with a 5-1 record, qualifying for the playoffs, but they were eliminated in the second round by Linden High. This season, the players are motivated for a deeper run as many returning players have stepped up to lead their team.
Head Coach Anthony De Jager, who is entering his fourth season as Stone Ridge’s head coach, said the team’s preparation has been driven by hard work, enthusiasm, and a strong love for the game. The team has several underclassmen on the team with plenty to learn, but De Jager said that the team’s effort has made the preparation process a positive experience.
De Jager also mentioned that this season would include one of the toughest schedules the program has faced. The Knights play in the competitive Southern League that featured four playoff teams last season: Le Grand, Mariposa, Denair, and Stone Ridge. In 2025, Mariposa, Denair, and Stone Ridge each clinched a share of the Southern League title with identical 5-1 records. Not only will the Knights face a tough league schedule, their three-game preseason schedule includes two playoff teams from last season: Yosemite High and small-school powerhouse Summerville High. However, De Jager doesn’t see this as a bad thing for the Knights. He appreciates the chance to face high competition. “The point of being out here is for the challenge,” De Jager said.
De Jager also spoke about the team’s goals and said that the team’s biggest goal goes beyond its record, emphasizing the importance of representing those who support them. “Our goal is always to make our supporters proud. That’s our number one goal.” De Jager is confident in the team’s ability to handle the challenges ahead, especially because of the work ethic and leadership he’s seeing from his players.
Some offseason injuries have forced the Knights to adjust, which can be particularly challenging for smaller private schools like Stone Ridge. Senior running back and linebacker TJ Mathews explained, “We have a small school; we have about 30 kids on the team from freshmen to seniors, so there’s not a lot of people, so we all matter.” While many outside the team may see the injuries as damaging, the Knights see them as opportunities for the next players to rise to the occasion.
“Our younger guys are starting to step up,” explained senior quarterback Marcus Gray, who led the Knights to a 9-2 record last season. While he acknowledged injuries can be a concern, it appears the Knights are relying on pushing one another in order to overcome the challenges.
Senior Gavin Young described the group in three words: “brotherhood, effort, and perseverance.” Several seniors, including Mathews, Gray, and Young, have taken up the responsibility of helping the younger players learn and adjust to their new roles. This has helped form a team bond that Young described as a crucial part of their chemistry. The players expressed that the season isn’t just about winning but also about growing the brotherhood bond.
In the coming days, the Knights believe they will be ready to put their best foot forward towards the endzone as they prepare to play Pacheco High on August 28th. Their first home game will be September 4th against Yosemite High. Both the players and coaches appear ready to see what they can accomplish when the season officially begins.
