The MSJC football team will host Antelope Valley on Saturday November 27th in the Hemet Sportsman's Club American Championship Bowl after finishing the regular season with an 8-1 record on the field.
The Eagles were co-champions of the American Mountain League along with Pasadena and Grossmont, but had the highest RPI overall which gave them the opportunity to host the game on Saturday. MSJC and Antelope Valley, the champions of the American Pacific League, met earlier in the season with the Eagles winning 23-13 on September 18th.
This bowl appearance is the second in a row for MSJC and their third bowl game in Casey Mazzotta's 14 seasons at the helm of the Eagles. The game also will mark the final game played on MSJC's San Jacinto Campus and at Carl Quandt Stadium which debuted as the Eagles home in their final game of the 1996 season. Next season MSJC is set to move into their brand new stadium on the Menifee Campus which is nearing completion.
The Eagles only loss of the 2021 season came November 6th in a nail-bitter against Pasadena 28-26, Antelope Valley who is 8-2 this season suffered their other loss to College of the Canyons in their opening game of the year, the Marauders are on a 7 game winning streak.
MSJC has put up some impressive numbers this year, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Eagles lead the entire Southern California Football Association (SCFA) in total yards per game at 515. They were 3rd in passing yards per game and 6th in rushing. The quarterback duo of Devan Freedland and Robert Coleman combined to throw for over 2.700 yards with almost identical numbers as Coleman threw for 1,358 and Freedland 1,344. They spread the ball out as well with 7 different players making over 12 catches on the year led by Rashoud Shelton who had 47 receptions for 753 yards and 10 touchdowns. Taliq Brown had 34 catches on the season for 452 yards and 6 TDs, while Taylor Tosches was a big play threat with 17 receptions for 404 yards an 5 scores. On the ground Sherod White was the Eagles big threat as he ran for 953 yards in 9 games good enough for 3rd in the SCFA. White also had 14 rushing touchdowns and 5 more on receiving scores.
On defense the Eagles were led by Darryl Moody who recorded a team high 53 total tackles and also made a team best 4 interceptions. Demond Young and Nathan Ortiz also had strong seasons for the defensive unit as Young made 42 tackles and made a pair of picks while Ortiz had 41 tackles and two sacks. Kelvin Davis and Hunter Rapolla tied for the team lead in sacks with 4 a piece.
Saturday's game at Carl Quandt Stadium is set to kick off at 12 pm. Check us out on MSJC Athletic Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as well as this site for more details about Saturday as they become available.