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.
Pretzinger (6-1, 195) has been a monster for the Scots in his two years as a starter, rushing for 2,138 yards and 26 touchdowns in 12 games last year. The senior, who will also play defensive back, ran for 1,201 yards as a sophomore.
“Dillon is our go-to guy and we are expecting a big year out of him,” Gradillas said. “He’s been working really hard in the offseason to include his strength and his speed and we think he’s ready for a big year. Our big question is if we can do enough passing the ball so defenses can’t commit everything to stopping him.”
Rim will be breaking in a new quarterback, as senior Ryan Lozoya (5-9, 160) moves in from wide receiver to supplant the graduated Corey Farley. Both Pretzinger and Lozoya will have the benefit of operating behind an experienced, physical offensive line as four starters – seniors Moises Bacio (6-4, 250), Shane Docks (6-1, 214) and Christian Gonzalez (6-0, 266) along with junior Christian Mesaros (6-1, 225) – return from last year’s line.
Defensively, Rim will be getting a lot of contributions from offensive players that have been mentioned, with Bacio and Gonzalez playing on the defensive line and Docks seeing time with Carlos Martinez (5-8, 190). Pretzinger and Lozoya will see time in the secondary along with senior Kay Hay (5-9, 150) and junior Brennan Weist (5-9, 155).
Rim of the World 2010 schedule (Home games in CAPS, * indicates league game)
Sept. 10 – at Victor Valley
Sept. 17 – at Jurupa Valley
Sept. 24 – BISHOP
Oct. 1 – BIG BEAR
Oct. 8 – at Desert Hot Springs
Oct. 15 – at Citrus Valley*
Oct. 22 – RUBIDOUX*
Oct. 29 – at Banning (Nicolet MS)*
Nov. 5 – NOTRE DAME*
Nov. 12 – JURUPA HILLS*
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