The most notable game will take place in the neighboring county as Victor Valley travels to Riverside Community College's Wheelock Field for a 6 p.m. showdown for the first ever meeting between the schools.

Two other games that would have been Foothill Conference contests in the past are now just nonconference tuneups after a complete retooling of the playoff structure. Chaffey will host Mt. San Jacinto while San Bernardino Valley College travels to College of the Desert, both kick off at 6 p.m.

Riverside and Chaffey are both part of the tougher Central Conference of the National Division while SBVC and Victor Valley are both in the weaker Mountain Conference of the American Division.

The nonconference games loom large for SBVC and Victor Valley because just two of the eight playoff berths will come from the American Division so this gives them a chance to show they belong.

The team in the stronger conference need to win against what are considered lesser foes because of the competition they will see in conference later in the season. The National Division will have six teams in the playoffs, including a handful of wildcards.

But coaches are focusing on the task right in front of them.

"Every game is as important as the next," said Riverside coach Bill Brown, starting his seventh year. "We haven't talked about any other team but Victor Valley."

Riverside was 4-5 a year ago. Sophomore quarterback Coy Glass, a Redlands High School product, leads the offense after sharing duty there last season. Brown indicated he would probably use several running backs and receivers to see who emerges.

The Rams, coming off a 3-7 season, scrimmaged Antelope Valley and Pomona-Pitzer last week and coach Dave Hoover was pleased, especially with his offense. He went through four quarterbacks last year and the offense never did click.

"We churned out some big plays and that's something we were lacking last year. We couldn't move the ball to save our life," he said. "Defensively we're quite young so I'm not quite sure what we have there. But that's something most coaches are probably saying this time of year."

Riverside will be the first of three tough nonconference games for the Rams. Next up is Palomar, then juggernaut Mt. SAC. Hoover is hoping his team survives the tough nonconference grind.

"Health is my biggest concern, playing the teams we're playing to start out," he said. Do I think we can win all three? No. But we're going to compete and I think we can play with anyone in our conference. But one or two injuries and we become very average very fast."

Both SBVC coach Pat Meech and Chaffey coach Carl Beach said right now there is not much of a different feel to the season since they are playing familiar foes, although in a different situation.

"I don't think it's much different for us as coaches because we're still playing teams we know and have played in the past," Meech said. "You're getting player turnover every couple of years so there isn't much familiary with any opponent."

SATURDAY GAMES

MT. SAN JACINTO at CHAFFEY

Time: 6 p.m.

About MSJ: The Eagles are looking to erase the memory of a 1-8 season in which the lone win came over San Diego Mesa. Second-year coach Casey Mazzotta returns QB Colin Wigley and inherited a transfer from SBVC in RB DeShaun Smith. The offensive line they have to work should be much improved led by Jose Acuna and center Sol Sagaio. Top defenders are OLB Ezra Latu, DE Zack Van Deusen and MLB Cole Moseley.

About Chaffey: The Panthers defeated the Eagles 28-10 last season in what was then a conferfence game. It is now a non-conference showdown. Greg Sprowls will run the offense called by new coordinator Matt Bechtel. Leading rusher Jahmel Rover (knee) is out so the Panthers will rely on backfield-by-committee with Tyler Thompson, John Alejandro and Matt Chase sharing the workload. Top cover man Mike Fields (knee) is also out but the Panthers should create pressure up front which is where their experience should be a factor. The biggest question mark will be Chaffey's kicking teams.

VICTOR VALLEY at RIVERSIDE

Time: 6 p.m.

About Victor: Coach Dave Hoover is excited about the potential of his offense led by quarterbacks Elisah Filipili and O'Ryan Bradley, both of whom should see playing time. Bradley is a transfer from UNLV where he tried to walk on. Hoover likes also likes the progress of his offensive line which consists of Alex Mitchell, Beau Humphrey, Louis Morales, Ramon Sandoval and Andrew Gomez - all High Desrt natives. WR Jarrett Partman will be out this week. Eric Brinkley, who has moved from linebacker to safety, and Aaron Mosley key the defense.

About Riverside: Redlands product Coy Glass directs the Tigers offense. Coach Bill Brown will use a stable of running backs in the early going with Cedric Foster, Ben Irwin, Ivan Lopez and Tanner Paes among those seeing action. Travis Carter, Corey Ham (Redlands) and Tommy Curry will be the key receivers. T.J. Tuigamala is the most experienced lineman. Jamell Murry and Andrew Smith (Redlands) lead the defense.

SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY at DESERT

Time: 6 p.m.

About Valley: Sophomore QB Mike Stadler returns but he will be surrounded by mostly newcomers - the most notable being San Bernardino High School alumn Dewayne Booker. He will backed up Devan Libran. Thad Quist and Terrance Humes anchor the offensive line with Humes coming back from a knee injury that sidelined him most of last season. Leaders on defense are S James Hutchins and LB Cordelle Nugent.

About Desert: The Roadrunners were conference champion last year in what was the Foothill Conference. They defeated the Wolverines 27-14 in that run. QB Brent Rausch (Hawaii) has departed but Desert inherited its usual boatload of out-of-state transfers with almost 50 from outside California.

- Compiled by Michelle Gardner

The junior college season will kick off this week and the entire conference structure and playoff format has been reworked. The Foothill Conference no longer exists. Adios Mission Conference. Sayonara Western State Conference.

The sport will now be governed under the umbrella of the Southern California Football Association.

Teams are separated into two divisions - the National and American. The National is subdivided into three seven-team conferences (Northern, Central, Southern) while the American has two eight-team conferences (Mountain, Pacific).

The National Division, the power conference, includes perennial title contenders such as Mt. SAC, Bakersfield and former Foothill Conference juggernaut Grossmont. Chaffey, Riverside and Citrus are among the other entrants.

SBVC and Victor Valley factor into the weaker American Divsion. But Meech doesn't mind being lumped into the also-ran category.

"Am I afraid of those schools? No. I would like to play them," he said. "But it would be crazy to think we can go head-to-head with those teams week after week after week."

Veteran Chaffey coach Carl Beach, who was on the committee that developed the new alignment, isn't quite sure his team is ready to battle the big boys, citing resources and enrollment but admits past success is the reason his school has been put in with the stronger teams.

"It's more about what we have done in the past. I'm not so sure we belong there but we'll see," he said.

The alignments will be reviewed every two years with some teams moving up or down depending on competitive balance.

A similar format has been used in the Northern part of the state for several years and received a favorable review.

When it comes to picking a field for the playoffs, eight teams will be chosen. Each of the three National Division conference will be given two spots for a total of six teams.
The American Division would qualify the winner of each conference for the final two spots, provided those teams finish with winning records. If a conference winner is not above .500, a wild-card would be chosen based on state power ranking.

There will be three additional bowl games for teams not making the playoffs to be awarded based on state ranking.

The original plan called for four teams to make the playoffs with all of those coming from the power division. The lesser schools balked at that idea so the current format was a compromise.

Beach said the committee wanted to get the new system in place. This one primarily divided teams based on their competitive history.

When the alignment is addressed again in two years he said more emphasis will be placed on enrollment, particularly a school's ability to draw out-of-state athletes. Resources and facilities will also be issues.

"I think it's fair," Meech added. "It will be good for us to play teams more like us."

Teams in the American Division will have seven conference games, then fill out their schedule with three games against the National Division, giving them a chance to boost their power ranking and see if they are competitive against those teams.

SBVC's nonconference foes will be Riverside, College of the Desert and Saddleback. The Wolverines have played Riverside 68 times, the first coming in 1926 but haven't faced the Tigers since 2002.

Victor Valley's opponents will be Riverside, Palomar and Mt. SAC.
Rams coach Dave Hoover was alright with the division of the teams but isn't happy with his brutal nonconference schedule.

"Not only are we probably playing the three best teams, we're playing the three most physical teams," he said. "It was a nice idea having the big dogs play the big dogs. It all makes sense. But their nonconference games should be against the teams in their divison in the other conferences."

Chaffey and the other teams in the National Division have six conference games and four non-conference contests.

The Panthers will square off against Mt. San Jacinto, Southwestern, Antelope Valley and Grossmont - all significantly longer trips than treking 20 minutes to SBVC.

While SBVC is excited about renewing its rivalry with Riverside, it is mystified why Chaffey wasn't included on the non-conference schedule since rivalries were also supposed to be kept in tact. That also baffles Beach.

Coaches were allowed to submit a list of three teams they wanted to keep games with and both SBVC and Chaffey listed the other as their top choice.

"It doesn't make sense. We have to pass them by to go to all out other games," Beach said.
Hoover asked to keep Antelope Valley, Desert and Chaffey and got none of those.

NATIONAL DIVISION

Northern Conference: Allan Hancock, Bakersfield, College of the Canyons, Glendale, Moopark, Pasadena City, Ventura

Central Conference: Cerritos,Chaffey, Citrus, College of the Desert, El Camino, Mt. SAC, Riverside

Southern Conference: Fullerton, Grossmont, Long Beach City, Orange Coast, Palomar, Saddleback, Santa Ana

AMERICAN DIVISION

Mountain Conference: Compton, Golden West, L.A. Harbor, Mt. San Jacinto, San Bernardino Valley,San Diego Mesa, Southwestern, Victor Valley

Pacific Conference: Antelope Valley, East Los Angeles, L.A. Pierce, L.A. Southwest, L.A. Valley,Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles

Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO -- When sophomore James Hutchins, sitting in the office of head San Bernardino Valley College football coach Pat Meech, responded to an inquiry about his height, the Wolverines defensive back responded 5-foot-7.

That answer brought a chuckle from offensive coordinator Ric Lucore.

Whether he is really 5-7, or something close to that, Hutchins is indeed a small athlete playing a big man's game and welcomes the chance to challenge his doubters wrong. He has two tattoos etched on his stomach -- one of Mighty Mouse and the other of Underdog.

"I'm always trying to prove people wrong," said Hutchins, a 2007 graduate of Colony High School. "I have always thought of myself as the underdog. That's what drives me to succeed."

Hutchins and his SBVC teammates open a new season Saturday, traveling to San Jacinto and College of the Desert for a 6 p.m. showdown. They are looking to improve on a 3-7 campaign that included five straight losses at the end of the season.

Not only has Hutchins, 19, thrived despite his lack of size, he has also overcome a heart murmur that prevented him from competing in the sport until he was 12. He played baseball as a youngster but watching younger brother Keith (a junior at Colony) compete in football made him want to try that sport even more.

Mother Eugenia was understandably concerned so James pestered his father, James Sr. until he  finally relented. He was cleared by a doctor and has gotten a passing review in several checkups since then.

"I always wanted to play but I never thought I could be as good as everyone else," he said. "But I got the hang of it pretty fast."

Hutchins got his first taste of the game in the Ontario Outlaws Junior All-American program where he excelled both at running back and at defensive back.

He learned so quickly that he earned a spot on the Colony varsity as a freshman. As a senior three years later he helped the Titans to their first CIF title in the sport.
Hutchins gave much of the credit for his progress to former Colony defensive coordinator Brian Gold.

"He took me under his wing," Hutchins said. "I would go to his house and we would spend a lot of time breaking down film. He was a small guy when he played too so he knew what I was dealing with."

Despite being on a title-winning team, Hutchins didn't have a lot of options coming out of high school. He carries a lofty 3.5 grade-point average so that goes back to his size.
Several four-year schools including Idaho and UNLV wanted him to walk on but he knew his chance of getting significant playing time was slim.

He decided to stay close to home and first looked at Mt. SAC. He liked the atmosphere at SBVC better.

His coaches are happy he made that decision.

"He has a great work ethic and knowledge of the game," defensive line coach Ernie Madrigal said. "He knows he isn't big enough to battle a bigger guy going up for the ball so it comes down to how he positions himself."

"He's just a solid person and a solid football player," added new defensive coordinator Ted Clarke. "Any superlative you want to use, it fits him perfectly."

Last season as a freshman Hutchins played in nine games, totaling 24 solo tackles, 11 assists, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and blocked two kicks.

He is hoping another strong season will give him a shot with a four-year program. Meech said the reality is that his size will limit him to playing at the Division I-AA level at best.
But he adds that Hutchins boasts all the intangibles that make for a quality player and team leader. Hutchins plans to major in secondary education so he can teach and coach when his playing days are over.

"He's very well-respected by everyone on this team," said Meech, starting his sixth year at the helm. "He goes about his business, never complains and always puts in a workmanlike effort. And he plays bigger than his size."

Then comes a three-game set at Yuba against Northern California foes. Coach Mike Bradbury's team makes its home debut Sept. 6-7 in its six-team tournament, including defending state champion Cerritos and Grossmont.

Victor Valley graduated its three leading scorers so it will rely more heavily on defense.

"We're definitely big and strong in the middle," said Bradbury, who will also be coaching the school's men's team. "It will be a little bit different look than we have had in the past but that's junior college. You're always going to have a lot of turnover."

Beach said he has played that foe the last several years in a practice game.

"They're usually a very good team with some size," he said. "You always want to play someone that is pretty competitive so you can see how you stack up. And it's a not a team in our conference or one that we're going to see during the season. It just seems to work for both of us so why change it."

There will be no admission charge.

"Concordia is getting a solid individual in Melanie, she left a great mark here at Citrus and I know she will be an impact player at Concordia," said Head Citrus College Softball Coach Jackie Boxley. "Melanie's intangibles make her a great fit at a great university, and I know she wants to bring a championship to Concordia."

Following Hansen into the NAIA will be 2nd team All-WSC honoree and 2008 Citrus College Female Athlete of the Year Denise Hernandez. Hernandez also played two solid seasons for Citrus, hitting .297 and including a team high 5 doubles during the 2008 season. Hernandez will be joining the Swedes of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where she will also play soccer as well as softball.

"Bethany is allowing me the opportunity to play both soccer and softball and is that something that appealed to me," Hernandez said. "Coach Boxley has played a big role in helping me to achieve my goal of continuing my athletic career and education. It has been a dream of mine to move on to the four-year level, and Citrus played a huge part in that."

"Bethany is getting a great all around athlete. The softball and soccer programs are going to get one of the most determined individuals that I have ever met," Coach Boxley said. "Denise will rise to whatever challenge is placed in front of her and not stop until she has succeeded. Her work ethic is like no other and she knows what it takes to be a champion."

Also accepting a scholarship offer is Jennifer Anaya. Anaya hit .250 and recorded 16 runs during the 2008 season, and will continue her athletic career at NCAA Division II Cal State Monterrey Bay.

"Cal State Monterrey Bay has a great softball program, and it fit my needs as far as staying in the state of California," Anaya said. "Citrus played a tremendous role in helping me move on. The coaching staff helped me improve, and made me a %100 better then what I was before."

"Jennifer always plays hard. Without a doubt Monterey Bay is getting one of the hardest workers that have been through our program," Boxley said. "She has a fighter's spirit and will work as hard as she has to, to be successful and earn a spot with Cal State Monterrey Bay."

Joining Anaya at the NCAA Division II level will former Lady Owl Alex Arguelles, who has accepted an offer to walk-on at Cal State San Bernardino. Arguelles spent most of last season in the circle, making nine appearances and leading Citrus with a 1.04 ERA.

"I originally wanted to attend Cal State San Bernardino strictly on an academic basis, but half way through the season I can began to realize that I could probably play too," Arguelles said. "I'm excited about this opportunity because they are a team on the rise, and I really like their coach."

"Citrus helped make this a reality in a lot of ways," Arguelles said. "Coming out of a small school and straight into college was a whole new competitive level. Coach Boxley has given me the confidence over the last two years to know that I can do anything that they put in front of me."

"Alex is a quiet player that just flat out gets it done. She is the ultimate team player and will accept whatever role is needed of her," Boxley said. "She showed amazing character and strength this year when she stepped up and into a starting pitchers role without any warning. Every team needs an athlete like Alex."

Sawyer, a 6-foot-3 forward out of Miller High School, averaged 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. He transferred from San Bernardino Valley College where he helped the Wolverines to a Foothill Conference title as a freshman.

Richardson, a 5-10 guard out of Montclair High School, averaged 3.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Brewer, 34, spent last season as an assistant to Gerry Wright. He is the program's fourth coach in as many years. The past three coaches were once assistants in the program.

Brewer is an Inland Empire product. He graduated from Riverside North High School in 1992 and later came back to get his start in coaching at Riverside Ramona High School after finishing college.

He has a bachelor's degree in social work and master's degrees in education and physical education.

"I grew up here and I like this area," Brewer said. "This job doesn't have to be the stepping stone for anything else for me."

Brewer's appointment was finalized at the monthly Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday although word of his selection has been circulating for several weeks.

Wright, then an assistant, took over the program in December of 2006 when Derrick Pugh was let go only minutes before the team was leaving for an afternoon game. Wright did an admirable job and led the team to a Foothill Conference title, earning conference coach of the year honors in the process.

The team settled for fourth in 2007-08, missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. But that is deceiving. The Wolverines finished 13-15 overall and a respectable 9-5 in conference and were part of a four-way tie for first on the final day of the season.

Wright was not retained because his master's degree is in education and the position is full-time, based out of the physical education department which requires a master's in that area.

The two boast contrasting styles.

"He's the guy that's cool as ice and I'm the guy that's fiery hot," Brewer said. "One isn't better than the other. We're just different."

While his demeanor may be different, Brewer said one thing that has been a trademark of the program will not be altered.

"All the coaches here have done a good job of advancing players and that will not change," Brewer said. "Our goal is always an education. It's nice to win games but it's about getting guys to the next level."

Before arriving on the SBVC campus, Brewer spent three seasons as the coach at Ramona where he directed the Rams to an overall mark of 71-16, with a pair of league titles.

That record is noteworthy because the Rams won just three games the year before Brewer took over. The team made the playoffs all three seasons, reaching the CIF quarterfinals in 2005 and the semifinals in 2007, the best playoff run for the Rams in three decades.

As a player, Brewer helped the Riverside North Huskies to a pair of appearances in the CIF finals.

He went on to Arizona State, where he was a three-year starter. The Sun Devils advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 his junior year. After college, he played professionally in six countries.

Athletic Director Dave Rubio was pleased with the pool of 24 applicants. The school interviewed five before deciding on Brewer.

"He gave a great interview, by far better than anyone else. He was well prepared and had all the right answers," Rubio said. "He also has great work ethic and will run a disciplined program."

In addition to coaching with the Wolverines, Brewer runs the NextLevel basketball training company. He and his wife, Berenice, live in Riverside. They have three children -- Kenneth, Andrea and Brianna.

Hanson, a graduate of Redlands East Valley High School and Riverside Community College, issued two walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch in the first inning. But he regrouped quite nicely. In fact Hanson ended up throwing the first no-hitter in the history of the Double-A Southern League franchise, striking out a career-high 14 in a 6-0 victory.

"I felt really good in the bullpen warming up," he said. "I was pumped, maybe a little too pumped. I just tried to calm myself down and just attack the strike zone the way I normally do."

Hanson, 21, said it was his first no-hitter since Little League. He came close last year at Low-A Rome where he had a no-hitter broken up in the seventh.

A more casual approach this time helped.

"I tried not to think about it as much," he said. "It is hard not to think about it. last year I kept sitting there thinking `I hope they don't get a hit.' This time I just tried to focus on what I had to do to get guys out."

Hanson said Birmingham, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, had two hard hit balls, one coming on the last out of the game when Ricardo Nanita lined out to centerfielder Jordan Shafer.

"He got good wood on it. Squared up pretty good," he said. "Fortunately it was right at someone."

With the win Hanson improved to 4-3 on the season with a 4.32 earned run average in nine starts. He has 49 strikeouts in 50 innings. Take out one bad outing in which he allowed eight earned runs and his ERA is a nifty 3.02.

Hanson, a 22nd round draft pick, started the season with the Braves affiliate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., of the High-A Carolina League but earned a promotion after going 3-1 with 49 strikeouts in 40 innings and an 0.90 ERA in seven starts there.

Sophomore shortstop and pitcher Blane Lloyd (Granite Hills HS) is headed to Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills while freshman outfielder Derek Richie (Silverado HS) is headed to La Sierra.

Both were second-team All-Foothill Conference selections the past season.
Rams coach Bob Smith said Richie is also considering playing basketball.

The duo helped the Rams improve over the past season, going from three wins in 2007 to 10 this season. 

She is two-time All-Foothill Conference selection with three goals and six assists in her career. She spent 2006 as a midfielder but anchored the defense the past season, helping the Wolverines to their first playoff win in school history.

She is the third player from the team to move on to a four-year college following Kalee Lopez (Grambling) and Megan Dias (Cal State Los Angeles).