The 1982 Southwestern Apaches football team was an American football team that represented Southwestern College as a member of the Mission Conference during the 1982 junior college football season. In their seventh year under head coach Bob Mears, the Apaches compiled a 10–1 record (5–1 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for the Mission Conference championship, defeated the in the inaugural San Diego-South Bay Bowl, and were ranked No. 13 in the final J.C. Grid-Wire poll of 1982.

Southwestern unexpectedly finished as the Mission Conference tri-champions after upset previously undefeated on the final day of the regular season, leaving all three teams with identical 5–1 conference records and 1–1 head-to-head records. Riverside qualified for their own bowl, the Inland Empire Lions Bowl, and Saddleback had already accepted a berth to play in the Pony Bowl, causing the state bowl committee to scramble to accommodate Southwestern with less than a week's notice. This led to the creation of the San Diego-South Bay Bowl, which was announced five days before the game. It was the first bowl game appearance in the program's 22-year existence.

The team was led on offense by quarterback Reid Sholl, who completed 105 of 199 passes for 1,292 yards and 16 touchdowns, as well as wide receiver Steve Pierce, who had 47 receptions for 782 yards and five touchdowns, and running back Tommy Hinzo, who had 62 carries for 400 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Sholl was named the Mission Conference Player of the Year and won the Joe Roth Memorial Award, given annually to the top junior college football player in San Diego County. Defensive back Dennis Mitchell led a defensive unit that allowed just 167.1 yards per game, including 38.8 per game on the ground, and recorded 25 total interceptions, all of which set school records. Additionally, defensive back Harry Carroll led the conference with eight interceptions, tying the school record.

The team played its home games at DeVore Stadium in Chula Vista, California.

Schedule

Coaching staff Name Position Year Bob Mears Head coach 7th Jay Mack Offensive coordinator / offensive line 2nd Bing Dawson Defensive coordinator 1st Jan Chapman Sr. Quarterbacks 1st Gil Warren Running backs 1st Jim Frankson Wide receivers 1st Mike Pompa Defensive line 1st Walt Justice Outside linebackers / conditioning Dan Henson Defensive backs 1st

Awards and honors Annual awardsReid ShollMission Conference Player of the YearJoe Roth Memorial AwardBob MearsMission Conference Tri-Coach of the Year

All-Mission ConferencePlayerPositionTeam Reid Sholl QB First Team Steve Pierce WR Dan Knight OL Steve Howe DL Irwin Smith LB Dennis Mitchell DB Tommy Hinzo RB Second Team Frank White RB Bill Dowd OL Tony Hernandez OL Byron King OL Mark Levardo OL Bill Wright DL Tevel Holeman SE Pat Portillo LB Harry Carroll DB Tony Walker DB Gilbert Barksdale RB Honorable mention Kenny Brookins RB Jan Chapman Jr. WR Sam Manti TE Sam Quintana OL David Ledesma DL Alfonso Fernandez LB David Jackson DB Karl Stickradt PK Source:

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References