PREP FOOTBALL ’91 : EMPIRE LEAGUE : Loara

1990 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 7-5 4-1

COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL John deFries 7-5

RETURNING STARTERS OFF DEF 4 8

TOP RETURNERS OFF DEF YR Mister Albritton, 6-0, 165 QB SS Sr. Brian Blanks, 5-11, 173 TB CB Sr. Les Cobb, 5-9, 222 NG -- Jr. Jeff Gravett, 5-11, 265 OT DT Sr. Bryant Jackson, 6-2, 295 OG DT Sr. Jason Ortiz, 6-0, 212 -- LB Sr. Curt Peil, 6-0, 165 TE SS Sr. Josh Runer, 6-0, 162 -- DE Sr. Chris Valentin, 5-11, 183 OG DE Sr. Jason Wright, 6-1, 245 OT LB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Dan Blahy, 6-1, 185 QB -- Jr. Dennis Dawson, 6-0, 163 RB -- So. Dahryanous Morrisette, 5-8, 195 TB -- Sr. Floyd Talley, 5-11, 160 WR DB So.

OUTLOOK

Last year as a rookie head coach, deFries faced the difficult task of replacing an Orange County legend, Herb Hill, who retired as the county’s winningest coach after the ’89 season. The results were good as Loara finished second behind Division III champion Esperanza. This figures to be another solid season for the Saxons, who will rely heavily on a defense that has eight starters back from last season. Jackson and Blanks have started since they were sophomores. Wright’s older brother, Chris, was an all-county linebacker. How far the Saxons go depends on how well an inexperienced offense, led by Albritton, comes around. “If defense wins ballgames, hopefully we’ll be in a lot of games,” deFries said. But the Saxons are thin in spots, and he is concerned that injuries could take a toll over the course of the season.