Here are season outlooks and players to watch among Inland area college football teams:
NCAA DIVISION III
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Coach: Kyle Sweeney
2024 record: 8-2 overall, 6-2 in SCIAC Surf (tied, first)
Outlook: Claremont-Mudd-Scripps enjoyed another exceptional season but still could not beat Chapman, losing 9-7 in their final matchup in early November to once again keep the Stags from gaining postseason eligibility. Expect a complete offensive overhaul as senior quarterback Peter Boehm, last year’s backup, gets his opportunity to lead the offense. He’ll do it with a new group of running backs and receivers after CMS graduated key skill position players. Two-time first team all-SCIAC senior end Michael Houk will anchor a disruptive defense that allowed more than 14 points only three times last season. Senior linebacker Harry Zhou (Bonita High) had 4.5 tackles for a loss and was a second team all-SCIAC pick.
La Verne
Coach: Richard Sanchez
2024 record: 0-10 overall, 0-8 in SCIAC Sun (third)
Outlook: La Verne hit bottom last season and hired a new coach. Richard Sanchez took over in the spring and improvements cannot come soon enough after the Leopards finished last in the SCIAC in total yards, rushing yards and first downs for the second consecutive year. Two-time first team all-SCIAC receiver Jimmy Rumsey (Santiago High) returns for his junior season. He has 105 receptions for 10 touchdowns and more than 1,400 yards over the last two seasons. Senior Bernardo Brito is back on the offensive line after an all-SCIAC season, and junior receiver Ronald Ropke is among the top kick returners in Division III after posting a 24.3 yards per kickoff return average and one kickoff return for a touchdown as a sophomore.
Pomona-Pitzer
Coach: John Walsh
2024 record: 8-3 overall, 7-1 in SCIAC Sun (first)
Outlook: The SCIAC’s Sun Division winners for the second consecutive season, Pomona-Pitzer rallied to beat Chapman in the conference championship game after trailing by 21 points at halftime. Head coach John Walsh took the coach of the year award as the Sagehens claimed their first outright SCIAC title and second NCAA Division III tournament berth. Junior Grady Russo emerged as the SCIAC’s top quarterback, passing for 1,881 yards and 18 touchdowns. They lose SCIAC player of the year Quinten Wimmer but return two-time first team all-SCIAC receiver Matthias Olson, who has 52 receptions and more than 1,100 yards in two seasons. Junior cornerback Kalani Pickett (23 solo tackles) and senior punter Jack Walker were first team all-SCIAC last season.
Redlands
Coach: Jim Good
2024 record: 3-7, 3-4 SCIAC (fourth)
Outlook: Junior Isaiah Alvarado (La Quinta High), who led the team in rushing yards (401), yards per rush (5.8) and had three rushing touchdowns last season. Jayden McKay passed for 681 yards and 3 TDs (with 11 interceptions) as a sophomore, and Will Reid completed 35 of 65 passes for 392 yards and 2 TDs as a freshman. … The team lost defensive star Craig Hunter but Laurence Williams (Centennial High) had three interceptions and Jaeden Thorn had three sacks a year ago as juniors.
CCCAA JUNIOR COLLEGES
Chaffey College
Coach: Ben Buys
2024 record: 8-3 overall, 4-1 in American Metro (first)
2025 record: 0-1 overall
Outlook: Chaffey College took a step back in its first season under Ben Buys but still won a bowl game for the second consecutive year despite having to rebuild nearly its entire offense. A pair of freshmen — San Bernardino native Frankie Villalbazo and Evan Powell (Cajon High) — will split time at quarterback until one settles into the job. Sophomore Hakim Halliburton (Aquinas High) is the team’s top running back and rushed for three touchdowns in the Panthers’ season-opening loss at Citrus. On special teams, sophomore kicker/punter Mustafa Hnyin, who graduated from Centennial High in 2015, might prove to be a not-so secret weapon, averaging more than 50 yards per punt.
Mt. San Jacinto College
Coach: Casey Mazzotta
2024 record: 6-5 overall, 4-3 in National Southern (fourth)
2025 record: 0-1 overall
Outlook: Mt. San Jacinto College ended its season with a competitive 26-21 loss to Canyons in the Jersey Mike’s Valencia Bowl, but the Eagles are closing in on joining the elite group of programs in Southern California after advancing to bowl games in two of the last three years. Three freshmen will battle for the starting quarterback spot this year. Cole Vasquez (Great Oak High) looks to have a handle after Week 1, but Julian Silva (Murrieta Mesa High) and Keon Gantt (Riverside King High) will vie for playing time. Sophomore running back Mykai Skinner (Elsinore High) will have a dual role in the offense, and may lead the team in rushing and receiving this season. Sophomore linebacker Eddie Smith (Liberty High) is a tackling machine.
San Bernardino Valley College
Coach: James Griffin
2024 record: 0-10 overall, 0-7 in National Central (eighth)
2025 record: 0-1 overall
Outlook: San Bernardino Valley College’s 2024 season was cancelled after Week 2 because of low player numbers and the Wolverines received forfeits the rest of the year. Enter new coach James Griffin, who had more than 100 players on his preseason roster after a full spring and offseason of recruiting not afforded his predecessor. Freshman quarterback Leo Valencia retained his year of eligibility after last season’s debacle, but Texans Kane Richardson and Titus Johnson will have first shot under center as the season gets started. Jonathan Coar, a 205-pound freshman from nationally-ranked Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, is a powerful runner capable of carrying the load, but the offense must hold onto the ball and keep the young defense off the field.
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