CAL LUTHERAN : Kingsmen Seeking Productive Returns : Football: Eight defensive starters are back from best team since 1985.

Long before the start of football practice this summer, Cal Lutheran Coach Joe Harper knew one thing for sure: His team’s defense, which was No. 1 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference last season, would be just as good come fall.

With eight returning starters, the Kingsmen’s defense is loaded.

Top returning players from a unit that allowed 303.1 yards per game include senior lineman Erik Lundring (6 feet, 210 pounds), senior linebacker Lance Martin (6-1, 225), and junior linebacker Chris Peltonen (6-2, 210), all of whom were selected second-team all-conference.

Lundring had 66 tackles and six sacks last season. Peltonen had 122 tackles, Martin 112.

The void left by first-team All-SCIAC cornerback John Wilson, who completed his eligibility, will be easily filled, Harper said.

Junior Chad Valousky (5-8, 180) and senior James Mason (5-9, 170), will be the starting cornerbacks after alternating at the position last season.

“We feel pretty confident with our defense right now,” Harper said. “How could we not with the people we have?”

Harper, however, isn’t as certain about the offense. The Kingsmen lost quarterback Adam Hacker and three key wide receivers from a team that tied for third in the seven-member SCIAC with a 3-3 record and was 5-4 overall. It was the program’s best finish since 1985.

Sophomore Ryan Huisenga, who graduated from Moorpark High, is expected to start at quarterback but has been challenged by freshman Zack Hernandez, who ranked second in the area in passing last year at L.A. Baptist.

Huisenga (5-11, 175) completed 18 of 33 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown last season as a backup. Hernandez (6-0, 172) passed for 3,634 yards and 26 touchdowns and led L.A. Baptist to a 13-0 record and the Southern Section Division X title in ’93.

“We’re impressed with his ability,” Harper said of Hernandez. “He will see lots of playing time this year. He’s got a lot of potential. As he matures and gets stronger and gains experience he can be a dynamite quarterback.”

College experience and familiarity with the offense appear to be Huisenga’s biggest advantages over Hernandez.

“I knew coming here would be a great chance for me to play and that all it would take was for me to learn the system,” Hernandez said. “So far I’ve learned a lot and I’m having fun.”

But the transition has not been easy for Hernandez. He says practices are grueling compared to high school, and scrimmages are much more intense.

He anticipates the same in games.

“In college everything is quick and more precise,” Hernandez said. “I can’t just kick back and take my time. I have to think about every play and try my hardest. In the beginning it was a big challenge and I still struggle sometimes.”

The team’s top wide receivers are junior Billy Parra (5-10, 180), a transfer from Valley College, and sophomore Tom Herman (6-0, 180), a Simi Valley High graduate and transfer from UC Davis.

“The wide receivers are a big question mark at this point,” Harper said. “We’re just going to see how these players develop as the season goes on.”

Seniors Steve Roussell (5-11, 185) and Terrence Thomas (5-9, 200) are the top tailbacks. Junior Ivan Moreno (5-10, 215) and senior Jason Higbee (5-8, 195) will split time at fullback.

“We’re very balanced,” Harper said. “We’ll run a multiple offense and we will throw about 30 times a game and run about 35 times.”

The Kingsmen, who travel to Claremont-Mudd for their opener on Sept. 17, ended last season with a 44-9 victory over Claremont-Mudd.

“We’re not sure what to expect from them this year,” Harper said.