Defending CCCAA champion Fullerton ranked second in preseason national poll, headlining parade of California teams ranked

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Fullerton College, the two-time defending California Community College Athletic Association champion riding a 19-game winning streak, is ranked second by College Football America in its preseason poll, joining 14 other CCCAA programs ranked in the top 30 list. Street & Smith's, one of the most recognizable college football preview publications in the country, has four California programs ranked among its top 10, headlined by CCCAA runner-up College of San Mateo at No. 6.

The rankings provide particular excitement heading into the upcoming CCCAA season, which begins with scrimmages on Aug. 17 and regular season games the following week. The season will culminate for the second year in a row with the state championship game at Sacramento City College on Dec. 8. Next year, the title tilt moves to Southern California for two seasons at a site yet to be determined.

Fullerton (13-0 in 2017) is the lone California team in CFA's top four but American River (10-2) checks in at No. 5 with Riverside City (10-2) and Mt. San Antonio (8-3) sitting at Nos. 8 and 9, respectively. City College of San Francisco (8-3) is 11th, Bakersfield (7-4) is 14th, San Mateo is ranked 15th, and Laney (9-2) and Saddleback (8-3) are 17th and 18th, respectively. Long Beach City (20th, 8-3), College of the Canyons (9-2), Fresno City (23rd, 8-3), Sacramento City (25th, 8-3), Ventura (27th, 8-3) and College of the Siskiyous (8-3) round out the CCCAA's representation.

San Mateo (6th), Fullerton (8th), Riverside City (9th), Ventura (10th) and American River (11th) are the highest ranked CCCAA teams in Street & Smith's annual rankings. CCSF (14th), Mt. SAC (17th), Long Beach City (20th), Saddleback (21st) and College of the Canyons (25th) are also members of the poll.

Fullerton beat College of San Mateo, 16-12, in a thrilling 2017 state championship on Dec. 9 that featured two outstanding defenses stalling a pair of premier offenses. However, Justin Mayweather proved to be the difference, returning a punt 59 yards to the San Mateo 1-yard line with just 51 seconds remaining. Gerald Hulett then took it in for the winning score to give the Hornets their 19th straight win. They last tasted defeat when Saddleback posted a 30-27 win on Sept. 22, 2017. Fullerton has also rattled off 15 straight home wins.