CONCORD — Jhadis Luckey has a new challenge ahead this fall.
The North Coast Section’s top running back last season rushed for 2,053 yards on 213 carries at California High in San Ramon, logging 31 touchdowns with a 9.6 yard-per-carry average.
After moving from San Ramon to Concord in the offseason, Luckey transferred to Diablo Athletic League powerhouse Clayton Valley Charter, where he will attempt to one-up his outstanding season with the Ugly Eagles.
“Last year, I broke all the rushing records at my old school,” Luckey, a Fresno State commit, told the Bay Area News Group. “So this year, the school record’s 2,500 (yards), so 3,000 is the goal for this year, and first in the state for touchdowns.”
Preseason coverage: League previews, all-area lists, more
California’s Jhadis Luckey runs for yardage against San Ramon Valley during a playoff game last season. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Lofty goals, to be sure. But if anyone can accomplish them, it’s worth betting on Luckey.
Clayton Valley has experienced both sides of the “transfer portal,” as second-year coach Nick Tisa termed it, this offseason. Though the Ugly Eagles gained Luckey, they lost starting quarterback Javale Jones to Pittsburg.
Related Articles
High school football 2025 preview: West Catholic Athletic League
Meet Aston Lim, a 15-year-old Union City golfer with sky high ambitions: ‘Goal is to be a pro’
Preseason all-Bay Area News Group high school football 2025: Quarterbacks
High school football 2025 preview: PAL Bay Division
High school football 2025 preview: PAL De Anza Division
Unlike the California Interscholastic Federation’s Southern Section, which keeps track of transfers on its website, the NCS and Central Coast Section do not. But transfers are a reality for every program in today’s high school football, and Clayton Valley has found itself holding a mixed bag.
“This program is not for everybody,” Tisa said. “We’re at a school of choice. If you want to go play somewhere else, that’s fine. I have nothing bad to say about anybody that left. But my motto all summer with the guys that stayed has been ‘those who stay will be champions.’ We’ll focus on us. And we want guys that want to be here and play Ugly Eagle football.”
Clayton Valley coach Nick Tisa celebrates a win over Liberty last season. (Anda Chu for the Bay Area News Group)
Luckey will be eligible for Week 1, and Clayton Valley is thrilled to have him available as it begins the season at Spanish Springs-Sparks (Nev.) on Friday.
“It’s a great trip,” Luckey said. “I feel like that’s gonna build up the team chemistry. Just going out there with the guys and playing football and taking care of the job, coming back, party ride on the way back. It’s just gonna be beautiful. It’s gonna be great.”
San Ramon Valley’s Marco Jones tackles California’s Jhadis Luckey during a playoff game last season. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
