The Cerritos College football team was ranked No. 15 in the country in the first J.C. Grid-Wire poll of the 2002 season.

The Falcons, who host a scrimmage this Thursday at 4 p.m. against Glendale, open the regular season on Sept. 14 at Bakersfield for a 7p.m. contest. The Renegades open the season ranked No. 13 in the nation.

Last year, Cerritos came away with a 21-19 win against Bakersfield. Sophomore offensive guard Anthony Guerrero, a 1st Team All-Mission Conference selection as a freshman, has been named a pre-season 1st Team All-American by the same publication. The 6-4, 315-pound sophomore will anchor a solid offensive line that averages 6-4, 301 pounds.

In addition, tight end Fausto Gonzalez and punter Scott Mackay were listed as “Players to Watch.” Gonzalez caught 18 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns last season, while Mackay averaged 40 yards per punt. Both were named 1st Team All-Mission Conference North Division.