The MSJC football team will be back in action Saturday for the first time since November 23rd, 2019 when they played Allan Hancock College in the Western States Bowl.
In 2019 the Eagles posted an 8-3 record and qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2012 after starting the season 6-0. Equalling that start this year will be a tall order as they kick off the season on Saturday against the #2 ranked team in the nation the Riverside City College Tigers. Saturday's game at Carl Quandt Stadium kicks off at 1 pm, if you can't make it out to the game you can stream it live on the MSJC twitter feed.
The Eagle offense will have to replace two time all-conference quarterback Brett Virgil, but the coaching staff is comfortable with their options going into the season. Both Devan Freedland and Robert Coleman are expected to see action on opening day. Offensive Coordinator Sekou Yansane says "Both are very talented quarterbacks who have differing styles that we feel confident in and give us a great chance of being successful." Freedland is a sophomore from Menifee Heritage HS who played his freshman season in 2019 at Saddleback College, while Coleman is a freshman from Vista Murrieta. MSJC does return running back Sherod White who rushed for 915 yards in 2019. White scored 8 rushing touchdowns his freshman season and also had 31 receptions out of the backfield for 407 yards and 2 additional TDs. Doryan Cole also returns in the backfield after seeing sizeable playing time as a freshman in 2019. At the wide out spot Yansane feels like the Eagles have a very talented group led by returners; Rashoud Shelton (Heritage HS), Cayden Chambers (Murrieta Mesa HS), and Javier Luna (Heritage HS). Newcomers include Southwestern League co-MVP Taliq Brown from Murrieta Valley, Taylor Tosches from Rancho Christian, and tight ends Matthew and David Vandenburg out of Palm Desert High. The offensive line group is led by a trio returners; Avante Robbs (Heritage HS), Bryan Alcaraz (Yucaipa HS), and Nick Gomez (Valley View HS).
On the defensive side of the ball MSJC is hoping that returning all-conference safety Darryl Moody (Stone Mountain, GA) can anchor the secondary along with freshman Kamari Ross (Beaumont HS), Demond Young (Rancho Verde HS), and Theo Parrish (Hemet HS). They will be joined by other local talent including Jahiel Blue-Smith (Chaparral HS) and Josef Luckey (Norte Vista HS). The linebacking core will rely on returner Alonta Orange (Citrus Hill HS) as well as Nathan Ortiz (San Jacinto HS), and Kelvin Davis (San Jacinto HS). The defensive line will feature a pair of returners in Michael Erim (Temescal Canyon HS) and Jeremyah Wilson (Citrus Hill) along with a talented group of freshmen.
After Saturday's game MSJC will hit the road to take on Moorpark September 11th at 6 pm. From there the Eagles will take on Antelope Valley at home and Santa Ana on the road before opening conference play October 2nd at Grossmont.
Fans will be allowed at MSJC home games this season, please fill out the form attached in the link below prior to coming on campus. Please be advised to check the entire 2021 football schedule also linked below for spectator guidelines for Eagle road games.