If there’s one thing that you can say about the Redlands East Valley football team, its that it’s consistent. Since Kurt Bruich fully implemented his program earlier this decade, the Wildcats have been near or at the top of the Citrus Belt League and a constant contender for the Inland Division championship.
This year isn’t any different at REV. After losing three games in the past two seasons, grabbing a CBL title in 2007 and finishing behind Miller last season, the Wildcats are expected to be among the elite teams in the Inland Empire again in 2009. Esteemed colleague J.P. Hoornstra assisted in the compliation of the below info.
The excitement about REV is about more than past success though. The Wildcats stay relevant year after year because they do a good job of identifying and developing talent early and placing them into action. This year is no different, as REV has 14 starters (7 offense, 7 defense) returning from last year’s 10-2 squad.
Leading the way on offense is senior quarterback Tyler Shreve. Shreve, a 6-foot-4 fireballer with deceptive mobility, is in his third year of starting and has a scholarship offer from Colorado State. He will also be helped by guys like running back A.J. Fernandez and wide receiver Charles Harvey, who should benefit from being thrown into the fray as youngsters last season. At the very least, Shreve should have more weapons on the same page as him this season.
REV is also guided by a Division I recruit on defense in defensive end Andrew Hudson. Hudson, who is also a CBL-champion wrestler, has offers from the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, Tennessee and Washington. His wrestling background makes him a beast to block, and allows REV’s never-ending supply of hard-nosed quick linebackers, filled by Mason Coffin and Dillon Curley this year, to rack up the tackles behind him.
The biggest question for the Wildcats, besides a schedule that features only four home games, is an offensive line that only returns one starter from a year ago. That starter, senior David Peterson, is one of the better linemen in the area and is receiving D-I interest, but how the Wildcats fill in the other positions around him could be huge in determining how far REV – which has never advanced past the semifinals – can go.
Redlands East Valley’s schedule (Home games in CAPS, * with league games)
Sept. 11 – CLOVIS EAST
Sept. 18 – at San Gorgonio
Sept. 25 – vs. Orange Lutheran (Orange Coast College)
Oct. 2 – at Eisenhower*
Oct. 9 – at Yucaipa*
Oct. 16 – FONTANA*
Oct. 23 – at Rialto*
Oct. 30 – CARTER*
Nov. 6 – MILLER*
Nov. 13 – at Redlands*
Note: Redlands East Valley plays its home games at Ted Runner Stadium on the University of Redlands campus.
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