PREP FOOTBALL : FREEWAY LEAGUE : LA HABRA

1990 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 6-4 2-3

COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Jack Nicholls 16-14-1

RETURNING STARTERS OFF DEF 5 5

TOP RETURNERS OFF DEF YR Steve Busch, 5-10, 165 WR DB Jr. Jason Johnson, 5-10, 180 RB FS Sr. John Ledieff, 6-2, 205 OG DT Sr. Grant Mitchell, 6-5, 200 QB -- Sr. Mike Mooney, 6-1, 200 TE LB Sr. Matt Moreno, 5-10, 170 FB CB Sr. Bryan Reed, 5-6, 170 FB LB Jr. Juan Sanabria, 5-10, 225 OG -- Sr. Cody Verdugo, 5-7, 160 WR CB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Eric Jones, 5-11, 210 C -- Jr. Ron Meade, 6-0, 195 OT -- Sr. Paul Welch, 5-10, 175 -- NG Sr.

OUTLOOK

Johnson is the league’s top returning running back. Johnson gained 1,269 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in only nine games, averaging 6.3 yards. He sat out the Sunny Hills game after bruising his ribs against Buena Park. “Jason is bigger, stronger and quicker this season,” Nicholls said. “He’s a very hard-working kid with very supportive parents. We’ll try to get the ball in his hands 20 to 25 times a game.” Nicholls also worked diligently in the off-season to improve La Habra’s passing game with Mitchell returning at quarterback. “We’ve brought our passing attack up to date,” Nichols said. La Habra will be stronger this year because of an off-season weight program conducted by assistant coach Jess Leon. “We’re in the best physical condition in my four years here,” Nicholls said. Lineman Ledieff is the brother of former all-county lineman Dan Ledieff, now playing at Cal State Long Beach.