SAN FRANCISCO — Michael Mitchell Jr. wanted to leave a legacy at Archbishop Riordan.
Mission accomplished.
Riordan went 12-1 this season, completing a climb from 3-7 Mitchell’s freshman year to win the West Catholic Athletic League and Central Coast Section Open Division championships and nearly beat Sacramento-area powerhouse Folsom in the NorCal Division 1-AA title game.
It’s a far cry from Riordan’s history before Mitchell arrived. Before this season, Riordan’s last WCAL title came in 2000.
For leading the Crusaders on a historic ride, the Stanford-bound Mitchell is this season’s Bay Area News Group player of the year.
“To win an Open Division CCS title, like, that’s something big,” Mitchell said. “That’s never happened before. I’m so proud of this team, and I’m so happy for this school community that we get to enjoy this success that football hasn’t had for a while.”
Mitchell put up prolific numbers in 2025, throwing for 3,749 yards and 49 touchdowns against just four interceptions. For good measure, he added 365 rushing yards and a pair of scores on the ground to eclipse 50 TDs.
He finished his football career with 10,529 passing yards and 126 scores through the air in four seasons as Riordan’s starting quarterback.
But beyond the eye-popping stats, it was his leadership at the helm that helped Riordan achieve accomplishments that tilted the balance of power toward the Crusaders in the CCS and WCAL.
“Outside of his talent, his makeup is what’s going to make him special,” Riordan coach Adhir Ravipati said during the season. “That’s not even football, that’s in life. He’s going to be a CEO or a senator or something some day. I’ll take 9 over anybody in the country any day of the week.”
Mitchell will now look to bring Stanford back to prominence under general manager Andrew Luck, who attended Mitchell’s game against Sacred Heart Cathedral weeks before the quarterback flipped his commitment from Vanderbilt.
Being the heir apparent on the Farm is a lot of pressure. But Mitchell has brought a program back from the ashes before.
Now, he leaves Riordan in a better place: atop high school football in the CCS.
“Honestly, it hasn’t even kicked in yet that we’ve done this,” Mitchell said after beating Serra for the section’s Open title. “I’m probably gonna lay in my bed at night and look at the ceiling and really think, ‘Hey, I’m a CCS champ with this group of guys.’ And that’s something special that I’m gonna take with me for the rest of my life. I’m so grateful to be a part of this team and part of this community.”
All-BANG football online publication schedule
Monday, Jan. 5
Coach of the year
Alameda County player of the year
Contra Costa County player of the year
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Peninsula player of the year
Santa Clara County player of the year
Bay Area News Group player of the year
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Kickers/punters
Offensive line
Defensive line
Athletes
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Lincoln’s Kyan Phillips is Bay Area News Group’s Santa Clara County player of year Serra’s Malakai Taufoou is Bay Area News Group’s Peninsula player of year Pittsburg star is Bay Area News Group’s Contra Costa County player of year McClymonds star is Bay Area News Group’s Alameda County player of the year Acalanes’ Joel Isaac is Bay Area News Group’s prep football coach of yearThursday, Jan. 8
Linebackers
Running backs
Utility
Friday, Jan. 9
Defensive backs
Wide receivers/tight ends
Quarterbacks
Sunday, Jan. 11
Entire team in one article
Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players and coaches.
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