Southwestern College Football Selected for Patriotic Bowl
For the first time in six years, the Southwestern College football team will play in a National Division bowl game.
The No. 15 Southwestern Jaguars (7-3, 4-3 National Southern League) will face No. 19 Moorpark Raiders (6-4, 5-2 National Northern League) in the Coaches Against Cancer - Patriotic Bowl at DeVore Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 4:00 PM.
In 2018, Southwestern was elevated from a high-achieving American Division team to the National Division. The last year Southwestern had a winning record and bowl-game eligible was in 2019. Post COVID-19 (2021-2023 seasons), the Jaguars had a dismal 5 wins and 25 losses. After three seasons of falling short the football program was at a low point, and a change and jolt was exactly what the program needed. If you have the expertise or know the intricacies of what a coach for today's student athlete looks like - you know who to hire next.
Based on program culture, roster talent, and team record, second year head coach Oscar Rodriguez is quickly and effectively moving Southwestern in the right direction. Rodriguez is a national recruiter and an authentic culture-setter that has redefined the Jags team first approach as well as the standard of expectation and performance. Success is a direct correlation of practice. Building relationships with players is extremely important so that when it comes to accountability, the players understand and don't take teaching moments personally. Coach Rodriguez has been a positive change agent producing noticeable results. The Southwestern Jaguars have taken that step and are building toward championship success.
Southwestern finished the 2025 regular season with a 7-3 overall record and 4-3 in the National Southern League. The Jags clinched bowl game eligibility after consecutive victories over San Diego Mesa (40-38) and Palomar (38-24) in weeks 5 and 6. Grossmont College participates in the American Division and consequently not on the schedule.
The 24 American Division teams in the state of California are regarded as a lower tier of competition and are grouped with programs of similar institutional investment, resource levels, roster talent, roster size, and positional depth. There is no inter-divisional play, meaning American teams do not play National teams (aside from exhibition games). American teams play for their own distinct American Division championship as well separate bowl games and are not eligible to compete for the state title.
The 42 National Division teams are considered the most competitive in the state and therefore eligible to participate in two - six team regional playoffs with the winners of the Northern California Football Conference (NCFC) and Southern California Football Association (SCFA) playoffs vying for the California Community College State Championship. Outside of the top 6 regional playoff participants, the remaining six highest RPI ranked teams (#7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12) earn a bowl berth.
SOUTHWESTERN JAGUARS (Key Stats)
Overall Record: 7W – 3L
California Community College Ranking: #15
Conference: National Southern League
Conference Record: 4W – 3L, Fourth Place
Record Against SCFA Playoff or Bowl Teams: 0-3
Riverside (42-69), El Camino (35-38), Saddleback (7-48)
Overall Offense: 442 YPG
Passing: 262 YPG
Rushing: 180 YPG
Scoring: 35.3 PPG
Overall Defense: 405 YPG
Passing: 254 YPG
Rushing: 151 YPG
Scoring: 28.8 PPG
MOORPARK RAIDERS (Key Stats)
Overall Record: 6W – 4L
California Community College Ranking: #19
Conference: National Northern League
Conference Record: 5W – 2L, Third Place
Record Against SCFA Playoff or Bowl Teams: 1–4
Fullerton (30-46), Cerritos (0-23), Ventura (39-52), Mt. San Antonio (12-61), Citrus (42-27)
Overall Offense: 397 YPG
Passing: 322 YPG
Rushing: 75 YPG
Scoring: 29.9 PPG
Overall Defense: 326 YPG
Passing: 204 YPG
Rushing: 121 YPG
Scoring: 27.5 PPG
SOUTHWESTERN | NATIONAL DIVISION BOWL GAMES
2018 Beach Bowl | Southwestern (7-4) vs. Palomar (W 28-24)
2019 Southern California Bowl | Southwestern (6-5) vs. Long Beach City (L 16-20)
2025 Patriotic Bowl | #9 Southwestern (7-3) vs. #10 Moorpark