PREP FOOTBALL ’91 : ORANGE LEAGUE : Western

1990 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 3-7 1-4

COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Jim Howell 62-64-3

RETURNING STARTERS OFF DEF 3 7

TOP RETURNERS OFF DEF YR Jason Christensen, 5-6, 160 WR DB Sr. Chris Coll, 6-2, 225 OT DT Jr. Shane Foss, 5-10, 185 RB DT Sr. Alfredo Villegas, 5-6, 160 RB LB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Brandon Brennan, 6-1, 180 QB -- So. Josh Christensen, 5-6, 140 -- DB So. Jason Tromsedt, 5-10, 155 RB LB Sr.

OUTLOOK

Howell isn’t too confident for a coach with 10 starters returning from last year. His main concern is a lack of depth, which got worse over the summer when three returning defensive starters were ruled academically ineligible. “They didn’t make it through summer school,” Howell said. “We’re real, real thin, and the eligibility problems haven’t helped any at all. Our attitude is really good this year, but we’re going to have to stay healthy. If we’re healthy, we have a chance to compete. But we can’t afford to lose anyone this season.” Why? The Pioneers have only 32 players on varsity, including eight seniors. The leadership duties fall in the hands of sophomore quarterback Brennan, whose only experience at the position was last season with the freshman team. “He has a lot of potential,” Howell said, “so we decided to go with him. He threw well all summer, and he’ll be ready to go this fall.” Howell said Villegas, a returning starter at running back, is “a good, steady back” who should contribute this season. “Alfredo didn’t have any great stats last year,” Howell said. “But no one coming back has a lot of stats.” Joining Villegas in the backfield is Tromsedt and Foss. Coll will anchor the offensive and defensive lines.