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Southwestern College’s football team entered the 2026 season ranked 16th in the state and 36th in the nation. It’s a starting point and one that carries a sense of respect for the Jaguars’ program that posted an 8-3 season to close 2025.
Southwestern didn’t tarnish that preseason ranking after defeating host College of the Canyons, 27-0, last Saturday in its regular season opener.
Elias Johnson (13 carries, 53 yards) scored on a pair of one-yard rushing touchdowns, Jamar Johnson (13 carries, 80 yards) scored on a nine-yard run and Daniel Meadows kicked field goals of 42 and 29 yards to account for all the scoring in the non-conference game.
Quarterback Dominic Duran passed for 208 yards in the win.
Southwestern racked up 22 first downs to nine for Canyons and piled up 409 yards in total offense to 168 for the Cougars.
Defensively, Joseph Stephens and Charlie Sullivan each made interceptions while David Peevy recovered two fumbles.
The Jaguars (1-0) turn around to host San Diego County rival Grossmont College (1-0) this Saturday at noon at DeVore Stadium.
Southwestern was the only one of the four community college football programs in the region to earn a state preseason ranking.
Grossmont College defeated Compton, 57-6, in its season opener while Palomar College edged Ventura, 19-6, and San Diego Mesa College topped East Los Angeles 44-6.
Photo gallery by Jon Bigornia
Mexicali CETYS Zorros at Southwester College
Aug. 20, 2026 at DeVore Stadium
