• Napa River

FOLSOM — Over the past nine years, the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I soccer playoffs have been dominated by Jesuit and Davis.

The Napa High football team’s Big Game XXXV win was sweet for a couple of reasons. It avenged last season’s loss to cross-town rival Vintage and it also guaranteed the Indians a spot in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs.

It’s a long way until next year’s football season, but Travis Steen is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to hold on to the job as Vintage High School’s starting quarterback.

Sophomore quarterback Sean Ryan threw five touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Vintage’s junior varsity football team past Napa, 50-23, and complete a perfect 10-0 season in Thursday night’s Little Big Game at Napa Memorial Stadium.

Tonight’s Games

Two local players, Chrissy Elles and Melanie Dyer, have made the UC Santa Barbara women’s water polo “A” team, which starts the 2007 season in early February.

The Napa Saints Junior Pee Wee football team will play Clayton Valley in the quarterfinal game of the Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference playoffs on Saturday at Burrell Fields in San Leandro.

DENVER — Visitors to many ski areas this winter will find cleaner air and better views of mountain landscapes.

FRESNO — Ambitious plans to remodel lodging, move a road and expand campsites in Yosemite National Park are on hold until officials prepare a better plan to protect the Merced River, which runs through the heart of the park, a judge ruled.