That’s a wrap

The Saddleback College football season is officially over after San Bernardino Valley College forfeited the final game of the season, scheduled for this Saturday, on Wednesday morning.  The Bobcats finished 3-7 overall and 2-3 in National Division Southern League play.

Saddleback's season could be characterized as "So Close" after losing five games by one score (or-less) and being within one score at some point during the fourth quarter in six-of-seven losses.  The Bobcats had one game decided by a goal post, another was an overtime heartbreaker and this past weekend saw a massive comeback come up short against a team ranked in the top-5 in the state. 

Saddleback was a young team in 2022 after losing close to 30 players from the 2021 squad to four-year universities.  The Bobcats had just a handful of returning starters on opening day and throughout the season improved dramatically.  Saddleback played some of its best football down the stretch, blasting Southwestern College in week eight before falling to a one-loss Fullerton team by two points in week nine.

Saddleback now looks forward to 2023, with the expectation of many returning players and a load of new recruits.  The 2023 schedule is expected to be released sometime in March.