Venue: Foothill High School, Pleasanton, California, United States
Date: October 11, 2025
Teams: 30 registered | Matches: 55
PART 1: THE MAIN DATA
Awards
🥇 Tournament Champions
1698V – Power Beans from 1698 in San Jose, California (High School) and 11101B – Barcbots Getting There from Barcbots in Cupertino, California (High School) claimed the tournament championship title after an intense playoff run. Their alliance showcased flawless coordination, sharp decision-making, and unmatched consistency in the final rounds. Together, they demonstrated what it means to perform under pressure — adapting, executing, and dominating with both strategy and spirit.
🏆 Excellence Award
1698V – Power Beans from 1698 in San Jose, California (High School) earned the highest recognition of the event. Their consistent excellence throughout the tournament reflected a perfect blend of mechanical precision, programming discipline, and strategic coordination. Power Beans demonstrated reliability in every match, balancing offense and defense with confidence to secure the overall title.
🧠 Design Award
11101B – Barcbots Getting There from Barcbots in Cupertino, California (High School) impressed the judges with an exceptional engineering notebook and design process. Their documentation showcased an iterative approach and technical understanding that elevated their build quality. The robot’s layout and subsystem integration revealed a methodical mindset that resonated with judges who value thoughtful innovation.
⚙️ Robot Skills Champion
1698V – Power Beans from 1698 in San Jose, California (High School) dominated the Skills Challenge with precision driving and clean autonomous execution. Their total score of 84 in driver skills reflected focus, control, and extensive preparation. Power Beans proved that consistency and accuracy under pressure are what define the best skills teams in California.
💡 Judges Award
80001C – Double Play from Double Play in Oakland, California (High School) received the Judges Award for their spirit of collaboration and technical creativity. Judges highlighted their perseverance in solving mid-day mechanical issues, as well as their professionalism and enthusiasm throughout the event. Double Play embodied the best qualities of teamwork, resilience, and community contribution.
🔧 Innovate Award
1516X – Grizzly Overdrive from California High School in San Ramon, California (High School) earned the Innovate Award for their bold engineering choices. Their robot featured a modular intake system that could be adjusted on the fly, a clever solution that gave them an advantage in variable match conditions. Their inventive use of sensors and drive control reflected a deep curiosity and commitment to experimentation.
💭 Think Award
2570R – Royal Flush from Next Gen AI Bots in San Ramon, California (High School) showcased advanced problem-solving and code logic to win the Think Award. Their programming approach demonstrated creative automation and strategic use of data during matches. Royal Flush stood out for translating theoretical coding into practical performance on the field.
🏅 Amaze Award
39599E – FarmBots from Winters High in Winters, California (High School) impressed the field with their clean design and consistent scoring performance. Their robot’s build quality and durability set them apart, while their steady teamwork earned applause from both judges and spectators. FarmBots embodied the perseverance and competitive spirit of small-town engineers with big ambitions.
🛠️ Build Award
4894A – Team 4894A from 4894 in Santa Clara, California (High School) claimed the Build Award for their solid mechanical craftsmanship. The robot’s structure was both sturdy and efficient, reflecting countless hours of testing and iteration. Judges praised their well-organized build process and attention to detail, noting that 4894A’s chassis was among the cleanest and most consistent in the competition.
🌟 Create Award
95661A – Oakmont Team A from Oakmont High in Roseville, California (High School) received the Create Award for their imaginative design choices and strategic field innovation. Their robot stood out for its adaptability and teamwork during alliance play. Oakmont Team A displayed a fearless approach to design challenges and inspired others with their resourceful problem-solving.
PART 2: THE STORY
The Foothill Robotics 2nd Annual Push Back Tournament was a celebration of energy, precision, and innovation. Hosted at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California, the event drew 30 teams from across the region for a day filled with excitement, creativity, and intense competition.
From the first match, the atmosphere was electric. Robots charged into action, showcasing the engineering imagination that defines the VEX Robotics community. Students fine-tuned autonomous programs, coaches strategized between rounds, and alliances formed on the spot to outmaneuver the competition.
Team 1698V – Power Beans quickly emerged as a powerhouse, maintaining composure under pressure and leading the Skills Challenge leaderboard. Their sharp reflexes, precise control, and consistency set a high bar for the day. Team 11101B – Barcbots Getting There brought coding excellence to life with a smartly tuned autonomous program that impressed both referees and fellow competitors.
Meanwhile, Grizzly Overdrive, Royal Flush, and FarmBots each delivered unique mechanical and strategic highlights that captivated the audience. From bold design experimentation to refined programming logic, the variety of engineering philosophies on display made every match unpredictable and thrilling.
The tournament was more than a battle of robots—it was a celebration of teamwork and perseverance. Teams adapted to setbacks, improvised repairs, and supported one another through the highs and lows of the day. As trophies were handed out, the spirit of innovation echoed through the gym, leaving every participant inspired to return stronger.
RFORCE Commentary
The Foothill Push Back Tournament showcased everything RFORCE stands for: competition, creativity, and community. Every student, mentor, and volunteer contributed to an atmosphere of discovery and excitement. From the sharp turns on the field to the sparks of innovation in the pits, the event embodied the future of robotics—driven, daring, and unstoppable.
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Written by the RFORCE Editorial Team
For the dreamers, the builders, and the next generation of innovators.