PREP FOOTBALL ’95 / SUNSET LEAGUE

Esperanza

1994 RECORDS:

OVERALL: 7-4

LEAGUE: 4-1

COACH: Gary Meek

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 79-24-3

RETURNING STARTERS:

OFF: 6

DEF: 6

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TOP RETURNERS OFF DEF YR Brian Bachhuber, 6-2,225 -- DE Sr. Ryan Bent, 6-1,240 OL -- Sr. Bo Bryant, 6-2,225 -- LB Sr. Jamal Footman, 5-10,190 RB -- Jr. Brian Forth, 6-1,195 WR DB Sr. Kostas Hatzidakis, 6-3,255 OL -- Sr. Sean Jarne, 6-6,255 OL DL Sr. Gerrick Nicols, 6-2,260 -- DL Sr. David Parrish, 6-3,185 QB -- Jr. Ryan Wilken, 6-0,175 WR -- Sr.

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TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Ruben Brown, 5-10,205 -- LB Sr.

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OUTLOOK

In most leagues, the Aztecs would be the favorite to win the title, but the Sunset belongs to Los Alamitos for now. Second place may sound distasteful, that could be Esperanza’s fate, even though its game with the Griffins is at Esperanza. Not that the Aztecs don’t have quick-strike capability. Seven of Forth’s nine touchdowns last season came from more than 40 yards out, a good reason he was a Far West preseason pick at receiver. Footman doesn’t have brother Dahrin’s yardage (1,875); however, with a 10.8 clocking in the 100 meters, he does have the family speed and Jarne, the Superprep preseason All-America pick, to block for him. Last year’s quarterback Chris Stretch (2,006 yards, 14 touchdowns) is off to college, so Meek will see if Parrish, son of former Angel catcher Lance Parrish, can fill his shoes. The defense--in particular the secondary--is untested, but it might not matter if the offense reaches its explosive potential.

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SCHEDULE

September 8 at Indio; 14 vs. Chino Hills Ayala at Valencia HS; 22 at Capistrano Valley; 29 vs. Long Beach Poly at Valencia HS.

October 6 vs. L.A. Locke at Valencia HS; 12 at Huntington Beach; 20 vs. Los Alamitos at Valencia HS; 26 vs. Marina at Valencia HS.

November 3 vs. Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach HS; 9 vs. Edison at Valencia HS.