Mitch Stephens

Content provider: San Francisco Chronicle, MaxPreps/PlayOn, HighSchoolOnSI, Livermore Independent. Promote HS coaches/critters/kindness/kids. Back at MaxPreps

[Rivals High School @RivalsHS]

WATCH: This run by Santa Margarita (CA) is insane😭

The RB does a full front spin over the defender😮

(via @JayGuarantano)

https://t.co/yVaRedi4z2

[Mitch Stephens @MitchMaxSI]

Seems absolutely super likeable. And surely knowledgeableable. But did not one person direct him to NOT say “we” when referencing UCLA. He did so from his VERY first comment. I’m UCLA fan but did it not put off viewers looking for a non-slanted analysis of game? Or have a SDS grad - Marshall Faulk perhaps - join in booth. Of course he has rooting interest he just can’t report like one. I hope he is coached up better on that point in future. Perhaps it’s acceptable now.

[Mitch Stephens @MitchMaxSI]

@WalkingRuiz Michael Hutchings is the 🧨‼️ That Lopq lad not bad either!

[Mitch Stephens @MitchMaxSI]

@BlazeRamir30428 Can not disagree. At least of the day.

[Pep Talk @Pepster1961]

Worse than the day KNBR let go of Barbieri and then Tolbert…

[Mitch Stephens @MitchMaxSI]

@MarkCoachSoto1 @SacBee_JoeD Thank you kindly Mark!!! Always so kind to me, Joe and us others riding/reporting on the coattails like yourself and coaches/doers/givers/mentors/teachers of young people.

[Mitch Stephens @MitchMaxSI]

Stop the presses! Wait, there are no more presses (sigh), rather few and far between. But if you’re a California high school or any other sports fan, you’ve probably heard our favorite best sportswriter in the land Joe Davidson was laid off by McClatchy following 38 years of superior journalism, devotion to community, storytelling, friendships, coaches, players, administrators, ticket takers, referees, moms, dads, janitorial staff, military, police officers, street vendors. OK, perhaps a bit carried away there with the referees.

The tributes are truly truly heartfelt, sincere and abundant. They have come from every nook and crannie of not a neighborhood or community but Northern California region.

His greatness and passion has been expressed and exposed. Simply, his positive contributions can’t be overstated.

As I relayed to him a short time, it all reflects a life truly well lived.

And the best part: these aren’t eulogies.

Not even close.

This is a celebration of life for the living. A live wire, in fact. There’s still so much spark left in that tank - how’s that for mixing metaphors? - that honestly McClatchy did him a deep unintentional favor.

Opportunities are bursting at the seam, at his doorstep, the inbox, phone chat, social media posts. His cup runneth over because of all that damn devotion, enthusiasm and true care to the product. Which 95 percent of the time is people. Unsung coaches. Kids. He’s bypassed the big time pros and money-makers to spotlight the everyday man, woman, boy and girl. Probably featurized some pets too.

As a colleague and more so a cherished friend, I have benefitted at sporting events - not to mention dives and eateries - and though these photos of him representing the Bee are sentimental.

Many more are in store for the future. Can’t wait.

Perhaps we’ll finally get to work together though that’s how our friendship started back in 2000 when I hired him and some fresh pup named Sam Amick at https://t.co/V11A75mPu9. Hilarious to think of now. That was a short-lived but worthy proposition.

Who knows how things will work out. Perhaps the Bee or McClatchy will come to their senses. I mean, Joe really is THE BEE at this point. But we shall see. The world and opportunity converge in remarkable ways.

For instance, today, I am giddy to announce that I am returning to MaxPreps, now also known in part as PlayOnSports.

It is a total part time role I am so grateful to rejoin bothers and sisters in prep content with the likes of Jason Hickman, Zack Poff, Aaron Williams, Steve Montoya, Chris Stonebraker, Kevin Askeland, Josh Carson, Sean Dupree and super talented content providers and Thomas Frey and Nick Pecoraro.

I’m a total pinch hitter and role player, but again so thankful, misty-eyed even, to rejoin the squad after 17 years with the big club and four years away.

Should be noted that the aforementioned Mr. Davidson has written for MaxPreps on the side for close to a couple decades as well.
Just saying!
And whistling!
And grinning!
Like some of these goofy pictures show.
Go Joltin’ Joe

[Gus Morris @JustGusPD]

Great showing from Newman senior lineman @DyckFinn against Riordan tonight: 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

Cardinals had 6 sacks and a pair of takeaways in Riordan’s first shutout loss since 2022. #PDPreps

[Mitch Stephens @MitchMaxSI]

Great heart felt thoughtful tribute from one of many incredibly journalistic tree Joe has helped shape. He truly has been the example of how to be a balanced, devoted, giving, professional person. Joe is competitive for sure, but just by his own lofty standard. Always 100 percent complimentary, encouraging, gracious and GENEROUS of other journalists at EVERY level. He especially recognizes hard working grinders which Joe is 100 percent himself. The difference though, is that Joe is so immensely talented as a writer and storyteller. And reporter. These aren’t just words or friendship speaking. He is the standard. It’s the truth and all of us know it. The combination of all these traits - work ethic, talent, generosity - all at the top of the food chain - is why these threads and tributes aren’t stopping any time soon. AGAIN, thank you McClatchy to Joe. Not so for Sacramento region. … Until he resurfaces in another platform/vehicle/Super Hero costume! 🤣 SUPER JOE! (Trumpet music here)! :)

[Jordan Georgeson @J_Georgeson26]

Joe has been the face of prep and college sports in Sacramento for as long as I can remember. More importantly, he’s been a tremendous mentor and an even better friend. He’s been someone I’ve looked up to throughout my career, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything he’s taught me.

Still hard to wrap my head around this decision. Sacramento sports won’t be the same without him.

[Tarek Fattal @Tarek_Fattal]

Another ‘Friday Night Lights’ brought to you by Toyota and the LA Rams on @CBSLosAngeles.

I was at Kennedy High Friday morning as they prepped for a historic rivalry game against Granada Hills.

Another chest bump. Another W. Kennedy won 34-24. I’m 4-0 so far this year 🤣

[Pat O'Rourke @BayAreaPreps]

Landon Miller with the first receiving touchdown of his Spartans career

[West Coast Preps @westcoastpreps_]

OMG😱😱

@James_Curoso with the hurdle over the defender on his way to the end zone for the 13-yard TD

Curoso’s second touchdown run with a little extra on it here tonight

14-0 @CNCardinals with 54 seconds left in Q2

[Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻‍💻 @SGVNSports]

Bishop Amat coach Kory Minor is certainly impressed with Amat’s 4-0 start and 65-13 victory over Culver City.

He also talked about facing JSerra next week at Kiefer

[Koa Malau’ulu 4⭐️ QB @koa1malauulu]

All Glory to God! @boscofootball

[GHSpacersFootball @grant_union]

Joe, for 38 years, you have been so much more than a sports reporter—you have been a storyteller, a historian, and a champion for high school athletics throughout the Sacramento region.

You gave countless student-athletes, coaches, schools, and communities an opportunity to have their stories told and their accomplishments recognized. Your passion for high school sports and, more importantly, the young people who play them has always come through in your work.

We at Grant Union High School have tremendous appreciation and respect for you and the journalism you have provided over the years. You have covered generations of Pacers with professionalism, fairness, enthusiasm, and a genuine respect for our school, our athletes, and our community.

38 years is an incredible legacy, Joe. While this chapter may be ending, there is no doubt that your voice, knowledge, relationships, and love for Sacramento-area high school sports still have many chapters ahead.

Thank you for telling our stories. Thank you for supporting our kids. And thank you for everything you have meant to high school sports in this region.

Much respect from the Grant Union High School Pacer Family. 💙💛

We look forward to seeing what’s next for you, Joe. You’re not done yet.

#WeAreGrant #PacerForLife @SacBee_JoeD

[Gus Morris @JustGusPD]

.@kentphotos has taken some incredible sports photos over the years but this is one of my new favorites.

@James_Curoso with a casual backflip as the Cardinals took the field tonight before their big win over Riordan. #PDPreps

[MaxPreps @MaxPreps]

Merced (CA) shook up Day 1 of the MaxPreps Flag Football showdown. The No. 25 Bears stunned No. 2 Central 20-12, snapping the nation's longest active win streak at 62 games. 🔥

Full Day 1 Recap ⬇️
https://t.co/cOMXxqPqM8

[MaxPreps @MaxPreps]

Mater Dei survives a THRILLER! 😳 The No. 14 Monarchs come from behind to beat No. 13 Centennial 10-9.

Full Story ⬇️
https://t.co/bpCsBRYoki

[Ethan Kassel @KasselMedia]

@tyler_winkles is the best QB in the Bay Area. He threw for three touchdowns, ran for a fourth and converted third and fourth downs all night.

But @SIscores has a pretty good passer in @isaacliu_8 too, who threw for five touchdowns before @LukeTribolet ran for the game-winner.

[Ethan Kassel @KasselMedia]

Final: St. Ignatius 42, Acalanes 38

@SIscores scored the final 14 to win a thriller after trailing almost all night, capped off by @LukeTribolet’s 2-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left.

The Wildcats are 3-0. @yourdons suffer their first regular season loss since 2024.

[Barstool Sports @barstoolsports]

Bryan Woo pulled a kid out of the stands and let him throw some pitches in the Mariners bullpen

This is what it’s all about