PREP FOOTBALL ‘95: FREEWAY LEAGUE

FULLERTON

1994 RECORDS:

OVERALL: 7-4

LEAGUE: 3-2

COACH: Julian Smilowitz

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 11-20

RETURNING STARTERS:

OFF: 4

DEF: 8

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TOP RETURNERS OFF DEF YR Gabriel Almanza, 6-1, 180 QB -- Sr. Tyler Brickell, 6-4, 210 -- DE Sr. David Brookman, 6-5, 220 TE -- Jr. Joseph Emigh, 6-0, 210 RB LB Jr. Tim Henderson, 6-2, 215 -- DL Sr. Chad Lukkes, 6-4, 210 QB DB Sr. Mario Ramirez, 5-10, 180 -- LB Sr. Rudy Vejar, 5-10, 165 -- DB Sr. John Wilkie, 5-10, 185 -- LB Sr.

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TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Artemio Arevalo, 6-1, 225 OL DL Jr. Chris Eddleman, 6-3, 240 OL -- Sr. Josh Leech, 6-1, 210 OL LB Jr.

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OUTLOOK

Eighteen lettermen--12 of them starters--return from last year’s 7-4 squad that earned a share of the league title and went to the playoffs for the first time since 1988. “We have to play together, and kids have to continue to improve,” Smilowitz said. “I expect the league to be as balanced as it was last year.” There is work to do. Smilowitz and staff might take a couple of games to restructure the offense--replacing graduated running back Chris Young (1,139 yards, 15 touchdowns) is the key. Look for Wilkie--a first team all-leaguer at linebacker--and Emigh to get the first carries. But Fullerton might not need a lot of fireworks early. Smilowitz expects his defense, which gave up the fewest points of any Freeway team (135) and has four first- or second-team all-league performers returning, to be even stingier. That alone might get the Indians the league title outright this year.

SCHEDULE

September 9 vs. Anaheim at Glover Stadium; 15 vs. Whittier California; 21 vs. Magnolia; 29 at Bellflower.

October 5 vs. Norwalk Glenn at La Mirada HS; 13 vs. Troy; 20 vs. Buena Park; 27 vs. Sunny Hills.

November 3 vs. La Habra; 9 vs. Sonora at La Habra HS.