Who should be Coach of the Year?

With league titles being clinched and playoff brackets taking shape, several area coaches have guided their programs to remarkable seasons. Many on this list have revived proud traditions while others are building new ones from the ground up. Here's a look at some of the top candidates for our Coach of the Year honor this fall: Kyle Stowers, Woodcreek In his first year back at the helm, Stowers has quickly reestablished Woodcreek as a regional power. The Timberwolves are 8-1 and in position for a top-two seed in Division III, nearly knocking off Inderkum for the league title. The Timberwolves have been improving all season and have impressive wins over Jesuit, Roseville and Whitney. Adam Reinking, Roseville Despite being hit hard by injuries, Reinking has kept his Tigers steady and competitive all season. Even without their starting quarterback, running back and top receiver, Roseville earned statement wins over Antelope and West Park to open the season. Anchored by a dominant defense, the Tigers are finally getting healthy at the right time and Reinking has them poised to make a serious run at a section championship. Josh Parry, Del Oro Parry has engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory. After a 2-8 debut season, he restored Del Oro's trademark toughness and turned the Golden Eagles back into a Division II contender. Now 6-3, Del Oro's only losses have come to Granite Bay and Oak Ridge by a combined five points, and to powerhouse Folsom by 15. Allen Berg, Lincoln Two years removed from a 1-9 campaign, Berg has led the Zebras to their first league championship since 2021. Lincoln is a late penalty and touchdown away from being 9-0, but at 8-1, the Fighting Zebras are sitting in strong position to be in the mix of a deep Division V bracket. Chris Bean, Twelve Bridges Another year, another league championship for Chris Bean and the Raging Rhinos. Twelve Bridges is 9-0 and has won 29 consecutive regular-season games. In fact, the last time the Rhinos lost in the regular season, they didn't have any seniors on campus. No matter what is thrown Bean's way, he finds ways to win. Nick Gleason, Foresthill Gleason was part of the glory years of Foresthill football and now in his first season as head coach, he has the Wildfires at an all-time best 8-1. Foresthill has a chance to reach a section championship game for the first time in more than a decade. Not only is this one of the most impressive first seasons as a coach, Gleason is doing so while learning how to be a first-time dad and navigate the waters of the switch to 8-man football.