PREP FOOTBALL ’92 / EMPIRE LEAGUE

EL DORADO

1991 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 5-6 2-3

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COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Rick Jones 7-24

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RETURNING STARTERS OFF DEF 6 4

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TOP RETURNERS OFF DEF YR Jim Beck, 6-1, 185 QB -- Sr. Jeff Blokzyl, 6-2, 220 OL DL Sr. Brett Bryant, 6-3, 240 OL DL Sr. Spencer Frost, 5-11, 185 FB LB Jr. Matt Hertzler, 5-10, 205 OL -- Jr. Andy Osborne, 6-2, 215 OL LB Sr.

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TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Benito Flores, 6-1, 180 WR DB Jr. Eric LaGraffe, 6-1, 225 TE DE So. Mike McAdam, 6-4, 220 OL DL So. Nathan Reish, 6-0, 190 TE LB Jr.

OUTLOOK

Jones calls 1991 the “big breakthrough.” After two victories in two seasons, the Golden Hawks rebounded to make the playoffs last year. El Dorado’s fortunes figure to keep rising this season, with four members of the offensive line, the quarterback and fullback back from last season’s team. On paper, El Dorado and Katella--another program on the rise--would seem the best bets to battle for the league’s third playoff spot. Los Alamitos and Esperanza appear to be the class of the league, Jones said. “There’s no doubt that this is one of the toughest leagues around,” said Jones, who has no illusions about challenging for the title. “We’re looking for a playoff berth. (But) it’s hard to predict where we stand in this league. We have a good mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors bringing it all together for us.” Jones figures the Golden Hawks will be well-tested by the time they play their first league game. Four of their five nonleague games are against ’91 playoff qualifiers, including one against section champion Valencia.