Recently in John Siliga Category

Eight county players highlight the Southern California All-Star team for the first SoCal vs. Arizona All-Star Game, which will be held Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Surprise Baseball Complex in Surprise, Ariz. Cajon quarterback Thomas Carter, Colton linebacker Devan Hussey, Redlands offensive lineman Jordan Smith and defensive lineman John Siliga, Redlands East Valley defensive backs Taylor Fernandez and Josh Armstrong and Kaiser linebackers Davonte Manning and Dennis Taylor will be playing Saturday for the SoCal team, which will have an all-star cast of retired coaches at the helm.

Former Fontana and Kaiser coach Dick Bruich will be part of a staff that includes former Claremont coach Bob Baiz and former Damien coach Dick Larson.

Redlands High School got an 11th-hour commitment last night when all-CIF defensive tackle John Siliga committed to Portland State. Siliga signed his letter of intent alongside Redlands teammate Jordan Smith, who signed with San Diego State, at midfield of Dodge Stadium.

"I decided last night," Siliga said. "They offered me at the beginning and have stuck by me this entire time. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go that far from home but Portland State is a great place for me."

Smith was styling for his signing, sporting a black SDSU hat with shades, a red Aztec t-shirt and black pants. After a whirlwind couple of weeks that saw Smith almost reopen his recruitment after former San Diego State coach Brady Hoke left for the Michigan coaching job, Smith was happy to finally ink with the school he's been committed to since June.

"It's such an honor to be able to play college football," Smith said. "To have your school paid for for four years is unbelievable. I can't wait to get down to San Diego State. I was a little nervous with the coach Hoke situation, but (new SDSU coach Rocky) Long talked to me on the phone, went over my options with me and now I'm excited."

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

Redlands High School football coach Jim Walker, entering his 20th year at the school, has never been once to mince words. So his bluntness when asked about what his team needed to do to win its first Citrus Belt League title since 2006 was hardly surprising.

"REV is the champion and everyone in the league has to go through them," Redlands coach Jim Walker said. "We know that to get where we want to be, we have to beat REV. We stress that all the time."

Redlands hasn't beaten its crosstown rival since that CBL championship season of 2006, losing a showdown of league undefeateds 37-7 last year. But with several key starters returning from last year's team, the Terriers are confident in their ability to bring the Smudge Pot back to Redlands High School.