Expectations high for Sierra after bowl win

Expectations are high for the Sierra College football team this season after closing out the 2024 campaign as winners of five of its final seven games and Pepsi Sequoia Bowl champions. The Wolverines return strong producers from a year ago, including starting quarterback Maddox Varella, linebacker Josh Maxwell and running back Josh Hamilton. Sierra coach Ben Noonan likes what he sees on paper, but he's challenging this team to live of to their potential and noted that they are still finding their identity. "The talent's there. On paper we're really good, but as far as doing all the little things right, we're not even close yet," Noonan said. "We need some more sense of urgency. Varella is the cornerstone of Sierra's offense after setting the single-season school records for passing yards and touchdowns last fall. He brings a rare continuity under center at the junior college level and Noonan says that having depth at quarterback has challenged Varella and pushed him to be even better this season. "We've gotten pretty fortunate at the quarterback position," said Noonan. "Maddox has definitely done a great job. This quarterback room is amazing. The competition this fall was pretty insane. You would think that with a returning starter and school record holder that really played well down the stretch that it would be easy, but everyone was playing really well in camp." Varella's top target in conference play last season, Malachi Casey, returns to the Wolverines this season after racking up over 500 yards on the year. Former West Park quarterback turned wideout Develle Barksdale has emerged as a strong option outside as well and Noonan believes that his versatility can be exciting for the offense. In the backfield, Sierra returns Josh Hamilton, who was the MVP of the Sequoia Bowl last season. Hamilton was explosive last season, averaging 8.5 yards per carry and rushing for 458 yards and five touchdowns. "He's been very impressive, especially from a maturation standpoint and with his development as a teammate," said Noonan of Hamilton. "In his first semester he failed almost every class. Now he has gotten all A's and B's in the last year and a half and is on track to graduate early after this semester." Sierra is inexperienced on the line, returning only one starter in Xavier Johnson-Stout, who played most of last season as a guard at 17-years-old and held his own against Division I caliber talent. Johnson-Stout is moving to center this season, but Noonan has no doubts that he will make the transition with ease and says that he might be the best interior lineman the school has seen. On the defensive side, the Wolverines will set the tone with their front seven, anchored by Maxwell at linebacker. Maxwell, a Placer product, is in his third year in the program after greyshirting as a true freshman. He led the Wolverines with 73 tackles last season and is expected to be a force once again this fall. "He's one of the better linebackers we've ever had," Noonan said of Maxwell. "His offseason has been amazing. If it's a screen, he's making the tackle. If it's a run, he's making the tackle. If it's a completed pass, somehow he's there. If the quarterback breaks the pocket, he's in his face right away. It's really fun to watch." Noonan also says that safety Samson Hunkin, defensive lineman Amir Moore and linebacker Braden Rohde will be disruptive as well. "If we have a strength right now, it's our defensive front," Noonan said. "It's deep, it's talented, and they fly around." The Wolverines have the pieces to contend, but their season will depend on whether talent translates into consistency. Noonan says that he expects Sierra to be competitive in conference play this year and believes that they can make a splash and a push for the postseason. Sierra opens its season on Aug. 30 at College of San Mateo.