Recently in Dillon Pretzinger Category

A new wrinkle we added this year, the preseason all-area team wasn't very easy to put together. But I'm sure these guys will make me look somewhat smart.

OFFENSE
QB - Thomas Carter, Sr., Cajon
RB - Dillon Pretzinger, Sr., Rim of the World
RB - Jeremiah Armstead, Sr., Oak Hills
RB - Tyler Ervin, Sr., Colton
WR - Paul Pitts, Sr., Los Osos
WR - Angel Rivera, Sr., Arroyo Valley
TE - Rodney Hardrick, Sr., Colton
OL - Jamal Prater, Sr., Etiwanda
OL - Jordan Smith, Sr., Redlands
OL - Hector Sotelo, Sr., Serrano
OL - Gary Dixon, Sr., Summit
OL - Jesus Cortez, Sr., Chaffey
Util - Devon Blackmon, Sr., Summit
K - Cody Madsen, Sr., Redlands East Valley

DEFENSE
DL - Ethan Hillyer, Sr., Serrano
DL - John Siliga, Sr., Redlands
DL - Devon Lewis, Sr., Redlands East Valley
DL - Kyle Jerkins, Sr., Apple Valley
LB - Devan Hussey, Sr., Colton
LB - Dennis Taylor, Sr., Kaiser
LB - Jamal Wilson, Sr., Miller
LB - Jimmy Musgrave, Sr., Silverado
DB - Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Sr., Chino Hills
DB - Josh Armstrong, Sr., Redlands East Valley
DB - Desman Carter, Sr., Kaiser
DB - Demontae Kazee, Jr., Cajon
Util - Sateki Finau, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga
P - Jake Van Ginkel, Sr., Upland

Rim of the World equipped itself nicely in the Mojave River League, making the playoffs seven of the last eight seasons and winning a league title in 2006. Despite that success, Fighting Scots coach Bob Gradillas wasn't upset about the school leaving the MRL for the Mountain Valley League.

"To be honest, we are too small of a school for that league," said Gradillas of the MRL. "Especially with the way our enrollment has slipped, we needed to go to a league with schools that were more our size. I enjoyed the MRL and enjoyed the schools and coaches we competed against, but I think this is the best move for us."

Whether the rest of the Mountain Valley League agrees with Gradillas is up for debate. The Scots thrived in the MRL and the Eastern Division last year, taking second in the league and advancing to the quarterfinals with a 10-2 record. In a lower division with a talented team that is led by star running back Dillon Pretzinger, aspirations of Rim's first CIF title since 1976 seem perfectly reasonable.

If there's anything you can count on with the Rim of the World football team, its a physical, power-running offense that gets the most out of its personnel. It's a formula that won the Mojave River League for the Fighting Scots in 2006 and has gotten them to the playoffs the last two seasons.

But if the Scots are going to continue their playoff streak, they'll have to find some reinforcements up front. With Jacob Ringhoffer - a possible Division I prospect - ending his football career after a knee injury last season, Rim is going to have to depend on sophomores and juniors to lead the way.