Look at us!

Erica Brick
The Chico State volleyball team had a breakout season last fall. Brick is a major reason why. She earned third-team All-American honors as a sophomore, and she’s back with five other starters.

Evan Busby
Busby may be just 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, but the Pleasant Valley High senior packs a punch. He’s a running back and strong safety for the football team, and he’s committed to Division I Cal Poly for baseball.

Matt Carter
Don’t blink or you’ll miss the 5-foot-7 speedster. Chico High’s Carter reeled off a 65-yard touchdown run in the opener and a 71-yard TD reception the next week for the 2-0 Panthers.

Taylor Clements and Ryan Ratekin
The former Pleasant Valley football teammates are a potent pair for Butte College. Clements caught two of Ratekin’s four touchdown passes last weekend, when the 2-0 Roadrunners equaled their win total from last season.

Emily Drews
Drews stands tall in several sports for Pleasant Valley. The 5-foot-7 senior is an outside hitter and setter in volleyball and a guard in basketball.

Mike Gardner
Coach Mike O’Malley calls Gardner one of the best soccer players ever to suit up for Chico State. A transfer from UCLA, the midfielder earned all-region honors as a junior and already has two goals.

Jeffrey Maehl
Freshmen usually don’t get to play in major college football, but Maehl, a touted recruit from Paradise, has appeared in both of Oregon’s games. Keep an eye out for No. 23 when the Ducks are on TV.

Amanda Mueller
A middle blocker for the Butte College volleyball team and an off-guard for the basketball team, this 5-foot-11 sophomore from Red Bluff could play either or both at a four-year institution.

Jade Smith-Williams
Last season’s conference Freshman of the Year, Smith-Williams will try to lead the Chico State women’s basketball team to the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight year.

Mark your calendar

Saturday (Sept. 15)
Football: Reedley at Butte College, 1 p.m.

Sept. 21
Football: Paradise High at Pleasant Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12
Football: Almond Bowl (Chico High vs. Pleasant Valley), Chico State, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14
Soccer: Sonoma State at Chico State, women 12:30 p.m., men 3 p.m.

Oct. 20
Football: Feather River at Butte College, 1 p.m. (homecoming)

Oct. 25
Cross country: Butte College hosts conference meet at Forebay Aquatics Center, Oroville.

Volleyball: Chico High at Pleasant Valley, 7 p.m.

Nov. 3
Women’s basketball: Chico State at Stanford, noon (exhibition)

Nov. 5
Men’s basketball: Chico State at UCLA (exhibition)

Nov. 7
Volleyball: Shasta at Butte College, 6 p.m.

Nov. 10
Football: San Francisco City at Butte College, 1 p.m. (youth football and cheerleading day)

Volleyball: Cal State San Bernardino at Chico State, 7 p.m.

Nov. 14
Women’s basketball: Las Positas at Butte College, 6 p.m. (Coach Ron Brown’s debut)

Nov. 23-24
Men’s basketball: Ray Morgan/Eagle Security Classic (inaugural tournament)

Feb. 1, 2008
Women’s basketball: UC San Diego at Chico State

March 28-29
Baseball: Sonoma State at Chico State