Southwestern Football wins Coaches Against Cancer - Patriotic Bowl

The No. 15-ranked Southwestern Jaguars (8-3, National Southern) overwhelmed the No. 19 Moorpark Raiders (6-5, National Northern) on Nov. 22 in the Coaches Against Cancer Patriotic Bowl, 31-7.

Playing in the postseason for the first time since 2019, Southwestern's offense wasted no time jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first 7 minutes of the game and pulled away in the 2nd half extending its commanding lead to 28 points early in the 4th quarter. The Jaguars flashed some explosiveness in the pass game and the run game executed exactly as expected racking up 183 yards (180 YDS/G average). But as effective as the offense was, the defense was even better. The stingy physical Jaguar defense played remarkably and limited a team that had averaged 397 yards per game to a meager 227 yards. Southwestern logged 8 quarterback sacks and 3 interceptions on the day - one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Running back Caleb Blocker was named Patriotic Bowl MVP for his punishing 20 carry, 100-yard rushing performance (sixth 100 yard game of the season). Defensive end Franky Olmedo was tabbed Player of the Game for his dominant 4-sack performance.

An 8-win season is the most National Division wins in Southwestern College football history. There are only four teams (#1 Golden West, #3 Mt. San Antonio, #4 Ventura, #5 Saddleback) in the Southern California Football Association and seven total teams in the Califoria Community College Athletic Association (#2 San Mateo, #6 Diablo Valley, #8 Modesto) that have more wins than Southwestern.

Second-year coach Oscar Rodriguez already has a season to cherish at Southwestern. Coach Rod has elevated the program, while implementing his own vision. He knows exactly how to take the Jaguars' football program into the future as a perennial winner. When Rodriguez was hired, the Jaguars were coming off consecutive 1-9 seasons and its last winning season was in 2019. Southwestern had fallen behind compared to its counterparts — until now. Getting Southwestern College upright required a massive roster and staff overhaul. Rodriguez took steps to modernize the program in this new era of college football.

This coaching staff, sophomore class, and 2025 team has brought something to South San Diego that has been absent. The foundation is built, and this team has brought winning football back to Chula Vista. Southwestern College is now an attractive destination for junior college football, and the San Diego County recruiting landscape is wide open again and can be Southwestern's for the taking. The program will continue to flourish and rise to a consistent contender because of strong coaching, relentless recruiting, talent identification, player development, work ethic, a standard of excellence and a culture characterized by Love, Execution, Fundamentals, and Toughness.