By Isabella Rose Capulong
The Benicia High School football Varsity team includes a lot of players. Their first season was in 1948, and they became known ever since.
The history of football is highlighted by a “Golden Era” during the late 1940s and 1950s led by Coach Phil Goettel. Goettel led the successful “Golden Era”, coaching nine official championship teams and a junior varsity title in 13 seasons, finishing with an impressive 105-45-2 record.
Goettel’s successful system established a pipeline for talent development, resulting in strong senior classes year after year. Although Benicia has some good football records, there are some other very good football programs like De La Salle, with their third-string running back Brady Smith finishing off his team’s 26-0 win at Serra on Sept. 6, 2025 with a 71-yard touchdown run.
The early success was built on a strong coaching foundation, with the triumvirate of Goettel, Corrigan, and Drolette, coaching both varsity and junior varsity teams.
The history of football is very important because it can teach us the importance of the sport and how important it is to the players themselves.
The Benicia high school football team has had many historical changes throughout seasons including the changes in coaches.
The first ever coach that started the first ever football team during the season was coach Goetel.
Now in the 2025 season, the head coach of the Benicia Panthers is CJ Anderson, former NFL running back, pro bowler, and Super Bowl champion.
In February 2025, Anderson was named the new head coach, with the goal of increasing the team’s wins and visibility, as he had done at previous coaching positions.
Benicia High School has produced notable athletes, including NFL player Austin Carr (Class of 2012), who played for the New Orleans Saints.
But as of mid November 2025, Benicia High School’s football team has a 6-4 overall record and a 3-0 league record, and won the League Championship, defeating Mt. Diablo in a blowout game. They are now in the playoffs, receiving the second seed in division four, playing Redwood in the first round.
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