Coach Cav stepping off the field

After winning the 2019 Division 1 Sac-Joaquin Section football championship and 114 games from 2007-2021 with hundreds of boys who became men through the family atmosphere created by Oak Ridge High School coaching staff, Eric Cavaliere announced he plans to step down as the Trojans’ head coach.

The man known to his players as Coach Cav led the Trojans into many fierce battles against foes like Jesuit, Rocklin, Del Oro, Folsom, Whitney and Granite Bay over the last 14 seasons as the head coach and many more as an assistant.

The room was silent after he shared his decision, according to Brandon Barthel, who just finished his senior season.

“It was very difficult,” Cavaliere said. “I get choked up at …

Catchings’ brother Bryan also played at Oak Ridge and now plays football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

“I’ve had a wonderful experience at Oak Ridge High School,” Cavaliere said. “I truly believe that there is no better place to teach and coach in all of Northern California. I’m just so thankful and feel so lucky to have been a part of it.”