The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) announced the 2019 preseason football poll with the University of Redlands as the No. 1 team, as voted upon by the head coaches of the eight, member teams. The Bulldogs received 55 points and three first-place votes in the poll. A season ago, the Maroon and Gray earned a share of the conference title with a 6-1 record in SCIAC games.
With a dual attack on the ground and in the air, Redlands paced the league in total offense last year with 2,913 yards. Junior quarterback Nathan Martinez (Redlands, CA) returns for a likely bigger role after throwing for 583 yards on 65 attempts and rushing for 292 yards on 44 chances against SCIAC opponents in 2018. After ending the season ranked second in the conference in rushing, the revamped Maroon and Gray backfield looks to make an impact on the ground with a new cast of contributors.
Redlands heads into the current campaign with its receiving core still intact from last year. The Bulldogs return their top-four wide receivers that accounted for 886 out of 1,226 yards in the air in SCIAC action in 2018. Senior wide receiver David Molina (Laguna Hills, CA) paced the squad with 251 receiving yards, while senior tight end Blake Roy (Camas, WA) corralled a team-high five touchdowns within conference play.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs held SCIAC teams to 296.4 yards per game to rank second in the conference. Redlands was particularly strong against the ground by only allowing a SCIAC-low 72.6 rushing yards per game, which was 30 yards better than the second-ranked team. The Bulldogs' secondary reeled in 10 interceptions for second in the SCIAC. In addition, the Maroon and Gray forced 19 sacks to land second among the conference in this category.
Senior defensive back Chad Virgil (Menifee, CA) returns as a formidable member of the secondary with 47 total tackles, including 28 solo hits. Senior defensive lineman Elias Hackney (Santa Monica, CA) looks to build upon his 29 tackles, including nine for a loss of 28 yards.
Senior defensive back Jeff Hector (Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA) leads the returning special teams unit with 229 yards on kick returns last season, including one he ran back for a 96-yard touchdown. Molina served as the primary punt returner in 2018 and accumulated 168 yards on 14 attempts. Hackney had his hand in the action as well by providing five field-goal blocks.
Redlands opens the 2019 season on the road against George Fox University (OR) on Saturday, September 7, at 12:05 p.m.
For the complete preseason poll, please visit the SCIAC's website.