Redlands packs a punch

When looking back on Redlands’ 5-6 season a year ago, its easy to think of what might have been. While the Terriers finished below .500 for the second straight season, it was a play or two away from changing the result in five of those six games.

Except for a 31-7 loss to eventual Citrus Belt League champion Miller, a senior-laded Redlands team was in every other game. A three-point loss to Vista Murrieta, an eight-point defeat to Clovis East, a seven-point loss to Los Angeles Carson, a two-point loss to crosstown rival Redlands East Valley and a three-point playoff loss to Riverside North all could have gone the other way, leaving the Terriers – one of the CBL favorites a year ago – wondering what might have been.

But as always, Redlands should be a contender in the Citrus Belt League. While probably behind REV and Miller in the CBL hierarchy, Redlands should be a physical team with a chip on its shoulder, looking to make amends for all of the close losses that it suffered a year ago. And once again, I thank J.P. Hoornstra for assisting me on this writeup.

While Redlands loses its top rusher – second-team all-Sun selection Cameron Phillips – top passers in Josh Logan, top receiver in Eric Rodgers and a top offensive lineman in Brock Morris, the Terriers should be physical up front and let a slew of skill position players grow into their positions behind them.

Leading the way is senior Justin Corrales, who is receiving quite a bit of interest from Division I schools, and hulking 6-foot-4, 320-pound senior Joe Crowder. Crowder transferred to Redlands from Los Angeles Carson after moving from Redlands to Los Angeles after his freshman year. Leading the way for Redlands’ inexperienced skill position players is senior running back Cameron Villalobos.

Defensively, the Terriers should be very strong up the middle. Defensive tackles Jordan Thomas, who is receiving D-I interest, and John Siliga should plug up the middle while senior linebacker Cole Gridley – Redlands’ leading tackler in 2008 – will set up shop at middle linebacker. The Terriers also have a weapon in kicker/punter Shaun McClain – who is capable of flipping field position with a kick of the ball.

Redlands’ schedule (Home games in CAPS, league games with *)

Sept. 4 – at Temecula Great Oak
Sept. 11 – SUMMIT
Sept. 18 – at Los Osos
Oct. 2 – CARTER*
Oct. 9 – FONTANA*
Oct. 16 – at Eisenhower*
Oct. 23 – YUCAIPA*
Oct. 30 – at Miller*
Nov. 6 – at Rialto*
Nov. 13 – REDLANDS EAST VALLEY*

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