MSJC football team set for standout season in new stadium
Cornerback Carsten Mamaril, shown breaking up a pass last year, returns for the Eagles. (Photo by Rick Rowell) By Doug Spoon, Editor Menif...
By Doug Spoon, Editor
Menifee residents may develop a new appreciation for the Mt. San Jacinto College football team now that the Eagles have moved into their new stadium on the Menifee campus.
The Eagles open their 2023 season Saturday night with a game at Mt. San Antonio College, but the real party will take place Sept. 9, when MSJC plays in its new 5,000-seat stadium for the first time. The administration has many activities planned to make it “a game day experience,” said coach Casey Mazzotta.
The opponent that day will be Citrus College, which defeated MSJC in the American Championship Bowl last fall. MSJC is coming off back-to-back conference championships and is ready to move into the highly competitive Southern League of the National Conference in the Southern California Football Association.
Fans who attend that first game in the new stadium will see an Eagles team that is well-stocked to make a run at another league title.
“Moving into a new conference is unknown territory,” said Mazzotta. “We’ll be facing a lot of teams we haven’t played before, and it’s a seven-game conference season. Our schedule includes two teams in the top five in the state – Riverside and Fullerton. But we’re excited about our chances.”
The Eagles’ strength appears to be their defense. Returning from last year is Carsten Mamaril, an all-state cornerback in 2022. Also returning at cornerback is Marcus Brooks, a product of Murrieta Valley High School.
Quentin Evans and newcomer Isaiah Lopez are talented safeties that will contribute to what Mazzotta feels is a standout defensive backfield. Linebackers include returner Tyrone Oloa and freshman Jaden Dillon, another graduate of Murrieta Valley High.
The line is perhaps the most experienced of the defensive units, led by nose guard Jahy Osuna, a 6-foot-3, 300-pounder out of Hemet High. All-Conference defensive end Tevita Hailalilo also returns to add depth to the defense. Mazzotta also has high hopes for freshman lineman Darius Holmes (Vista Murrieta).
The Eagles have multiple talents at quarterback, with sophomore Zach Zella scheduled to start Saturday’s opener at MSAC. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Temecula Valley High was backup last year to Robert Coleman, who passed for 3,012 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“He works well in the pocket and moves the ball around,” Mazzotta said about Zella. “He’s a real good pocket passer, and he got some game experience last year.”
One of Zella’s primary targets will be sophomore wide receiver Christian Kretz, with freshmen Malik Blackmon and Elijah Simley adding depth to the position.
At running back, Mazzotta is happy to have Matt Caldera (Vista Murrieta HS) returning.
“Every time he touched the ball last year, it was lights out,” the coach said. “Matt is really good out of the backfield and he had a great off-season.”
On the offensive line, returning starter Tommy Garcia will be joined by transfer student David Shinn (Utah Tech).
Put all that talent in a new stadium and the outlook is bright for the Eagles.
“Moving out here kind of put us right in the central part of our district,” Mazzotta said about the move from the San Jacinto campus. “Before, we were up against a mountain range and our recruiting area only had two sides. Now we’re freeway close, which also makes it easier for the players.
“We're finally able to service a high level college football program. All our opponents have comparable facilities. Before, we had a locker room with room for 54 guys. We had players who were basically transients, living out of their equipment bags. Now we have room for everyone in the locker room, meeting rooms, and we have a strength facility that will adequately train any athlete properly.”
Saturday’s season opener at Mt. San Antonio College starts at 6 p.m., the same kickoff time scheduled for the Sept. 9 home opener. With the new stadium, the Eagles finally get to play home games under the lights.
