PREP FOOTBALL ‘95: FREEWAY LEAGUE

Buena Park

1994 RECORDS:

OVERALL: 4-7

LEAGUE: 3-2

COACH: Bob Rau

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 7-14

RETURNING STARTERS:

OFF: 2

DEF: 2

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TOP RETURNERS OFF DEF YR Matt Buckley, 5-10, 185 -- LB Sr. John Calvillo, 5-11, 210 OL DL Sr. Neil Flores, 5-11, 185 -- LB Sr. John Juarez, 6-0, 210 OL DL Sr. Mike Kessler, 6-0, 190 TE -- Sr. Corey Lyday, 5-11, 165 RB DB Sr. Esteban Mayon, 5-8, 160 -- DL Sr. Ernesto Romero, 5-9, 210 OL DL Sr.

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TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Chris Blakley, 6-0, 185 RB DL Sr. Ruben Gasso, 5-9, 160 QB DB Jr. Reggie Knight, 5-8, 160 QB DB Sr.

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OUTLOOK

“I don’t think that I’ve ever had a team start a season with this many question marks,” Rau said at the end of spring practice. Buena Park is small and inexperienced, with only 13 returning lettermen. Yet it would be dangerous to take the Coyotes lightly; Buena Park only won four games last season but three of them came in league, which got them a share of the Freeway title and a playoff berth. But running back Tim Jones (689 yards) is among several key components of that group who are gone. Considering Buena Park must start from scratch--only two returning starters on offense and defense, including the all-league cornerback Lyday--and the Coyotes cannot tolerate many injuries, Rau and his team will be hard-pressed to sneak up on opponents this season. What doesn’t help is the Coyotes’ lack of size. What does help is the lack of dominant teams in the league. When asked who might stand out among the six league candidates, Rau replied, “Pick ‘em.”

SCHEDULE

September 8 at Brea Olinda; 15 vs. Canyon; 22 vs. Santiago at Garden Grove HS; 29 vs. Savanna.

October 5 vs. Kennedy; 13 at La Habra; 20 at Fullerton; 27 vs. Sonora.

November 3 vs. Sunny Hills; 9 vs. Troy at Fullerton HS.