1966 Southwestern Apaches football team

The 1966 Southwestern Apaches football team was an American football team that represented Southwestern College as a member of the Pacific Southwest Conference (PSC) during the 1966 junior college football season. In their first season under head coach Claude Gilbert, the Apaches compiled a 5–3 record (5–1 in conference games) and shared the PSC championship with San Diego Mesa. It was the first conference title in program history. The 1966 Apaches lost both of their non-conference games to open the season. In PSC play, the Apaches won their first five games before losing to San Diego Mesa in the season finale. The Apaches were contacted by the Elks Bowl committee, but declined a berth in any post-season bowl game. The Elks Bowl berth was instead awarded to San Diego Mesa. Two Southwestern players earned honorable mentions on the 1966 junior college All-American football team by the Los Angeles Times and J.C. Grid-Wire: tackle Jim Melillo and back Dave Barajas. In addition, six Southwestern players were selected as first-team players on the 1966 All-PSC football team: Barajas, Melillo, guard Mike Woolrich, defensive end Howard Taylor, defensive tackle Bill Chavez and defensive back Marty Jensen. The team was led on offense by Barajas, who rushed for 839 yards and ten touchdowns on 177 carries (4.7 yards per carry), and quarterback Bill Miller. The team played its home games at Chula Vista High School in Chula Vista, California. == Schedule == The September 24 game between Southwestern and Pasadena City was the first meeting between the two schools in any sport. The Apaches' October 29 victory against San Diego City (SDCC), the two-time defending Pacific Southwest Conference (PSC) champions, marked SDCC's first-ever loss in PSC play. == Offseason == On December 15, 1965, head coach Tom Parker announced his resignation from the post at the fifth annual football awards dinner after compiling an 18–26–1 record in five seasons at the helm, citing health issues. The decision was accepted by school president Chet Devore "with reluctance" and Parker remained in his role as athletic director. In March 1966, Claude Gilbert, a defensive assistant coach at Bakersfield College, was hired as his successor, and added assistant Wes Foreman to join Bill Duncan and Art Filson on the coaching staff. The Apaches returned eight letterwinners from the previous season. The coaching staff recruited two members of the 1965 all-CIF San Diego Section football team – quarterback Bill Miller of Castle Park High School and back Ward Lannom of Hilltop High School – among the 55 freshmen signed from area high schools. === Transfers === ==== Outgoing ==== Stetser played with Southwestern in 1963 and 1964 before joining Chico State in 1966. == Awards and honors == Six Southwestern players were selected as first-team honorees on the 1966 All-Pacific Southwest Conference football team. Five additional Apaches players earned honorable mention: Dean Harrold, Gary Estes, Rick Sorenson, Mike Mahoney, and Bill Miller. === Team awards === After the season, 27 Apaches football players were honored at Southwestern's sixth annual awards banquet in December, while there were five "special awards" given out: == Notes == == References ==