Las Plumas Football Celebrates Historic Winning Season After 32 Years

Las Plumas High School’s football team marked a significant milestone by finishing its season with a record of 7-3, the first winning season in over three decades. The Thunderbirds clinched this achievement by defeating their cross-town rivals, Oroville High School, with a score of 42-12 during the 64th annual Victory Bell game held on November 7, 2025.

The last time the Thunderbirds boasted a winning record was in 1993, when they ended the season at 5-4-1. This year’s accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as it comes just ten years after head coach Blake Friese was born. In fact, the best record in the program’s history occurred in 1961 when Las Plumas finished at 8-1.

Friese Sets Ambitious Goals

At the start of the season, Friese—an alumnus from the class of 2018—established three goals for the team. The primary objective was to complete the season without any significant injuries, with the secondary aim of achieving a 5-5 record. The ultimate aspiration was to lead the Thunderbirds to a winning record, which they successfully accomplished.

Reflecting on the pre-game atmosphere, Friese emphasized the importance of finishing strong: “The message to my guys before the game was that we have to finish off 7-3. LP hasn’t been 7-3 in a long time,” he stated after the game. His focus on playoff preparation resonated with the team, indicating their readiness to face tough competition ahead.

A Dominant Performance

The game unfolded rapidly, with the Thunderbirds asserting their dominance early on. Defensive lineman Robert Russell intercepted Oroville quarterback Ayden Morales on just the third play, setting the tone for an explosive start. Las Plumas capitalized on the turnover, taking over at the Oroville 15-yard line. Running back Tyler Landucci scored the first touchdown of the night, followed by a successful two-point conversion, giving Las Plumas an early 8-0 lead.

Despite Oroville’s efforts to respond, including a touchdown from Morales, Las Plumas maintained control. Landucci’s impressive performance included four rushing touchdowns, significantly contributing to the Thunderbirds’ final tally. By the end of the first half, Las Plumas had established a commanding 22-6 lead.

As the game progressed, both teams faced challenges with penalties, which momentarily slowed the momentum. Friese noted the need for improved discipline in practice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure in high-stakes situations.

With the Thunderbirds leading 29-6 following Landucci’s third touchdown in the third quarter, they continued to capitalize on their offensive strengths. The game concluded with a final score of 42-12, solidifying their place in the playoff seeding meeting scheduled for the following day.

The Thunderbirds now look forward to the Northern Section playoffs, eagerly anticipating their next matchup. With a strong finish to the season and an overall record of 3-2 in Westside League play, Las Plumas has set a new standard for future teams in the program.

The victory also extends Las Plumas’ historical series advantage over Oroville to 42-20-2, marking the Thunderbirds’ first win in this rivalry since 2019.