Editor's Note: This is the final installment of the "RFC Summer Semester" series for 2012. To read previous installments, log on to http://realfootballcentral.blogspot.com, and scroll down to the "Blog Archive".
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2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Cal Lutheran outlasted Redlands, 28-24, en route to winning the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship, as well as the subsequent automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, in 2011. The Kingsmen suffered both losses to Linfield, in the regular season opener, as well as in the first round of the D-III dance, with the latter loss ending their season. The Bulldogs didn't fare much better in postseason play, either, as they fell to Mary Hardin-Baylor, 34-13, also in round one.
Looking ahead: The SCIAC's membership will grow by one institution to eight in 2012, as Chapman University joins the league. Meanwhile, don't be surprise if the race for this year's conference title comes down to Cal Lutheran and Redlands once again.
2012 Predicted
Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Cal Lutheran (8-2): With a preseason ranking of No. 12 in the d3football.com poll, the Kingsmen appear poised for yet another potential run at postseason play in 2012. With an all-time record of 298-175-7 entering this season, they need just two more wins to join the 300-win club.
2. Redlands (8-2): But don't expect the Bulldogs to go away, especially with them hosting a what's sure to be a much anticipated showdown against the Kingsmen on September 29. They've advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs four times over the last 10 years, dating back to the 2002 season. Additionally, head coach Mike Maynard enters the 2012 season--his 25th at the Bulldog helm--with a career record of 151-69-1.
3. Occidental (5-4): The Tigers have a lot of work to do if they're to break the stranglehold that CLU and Redlands have had on the SCIAC in recent years. They'll be on the road for games against both teams this season.
4. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (4-5): The Stags enter the 2012 season with a new head coach in Kyle Sweeney.
5. LaVerne (4-5): The Leopards hope to earn their first NCAA playoff berth since 1994, as well as well as their first SCIAC championship since 1995, in 2012. In order to accomplish either task, though, they must do it under second year head coach Chris Krich.
6. Whittier (2-7): The Poets haven't had a winning season since 1998, when they finished unbeaten (6-0) in SCIAC play en route to winning their last conference crown that season.
7. Chapman (4-5): The Panthers saw a 4-1 start unravel into an 0-4 finish last season. They'll face an uphill battle in their first full SCIAC season.
8. Pomona-Pitzer (0-9): Speaking of uphill battles, the Sagehens will be seeking their first win since November 6, 2010, when they edged LaVerne, 28-26.
4 years ago
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