ORANGE

1995 RECORD: 5-4-1 overall, 2-2-1 in league.

COACH: Dick Hill (9-10-1 at school).

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 5 on defense.

TOP RETURNERS

Mike Chu, FB/SS, 5-8, 180, Sr.; Derald Deason, SE/CB, 6-3, 175, Jr.; James Frazer, RB/LB, 5-9, 180; Billy Jones, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Mike Kobus, DL/OL, 5-10, 260, Jr.; Brandon Oyenoki, OL/DL, 6-0, 245, Jr.; James Starr, QB, 6-2, 215, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Rennell Cordova, WR/DB, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Chance Perry, S/RB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Carlos Rosales, LB/OL, 5-11, 230, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Inexperience will be a factor for Orange, just like everyone else in the Century League. Although Orange fields a roster filled with young and untested players, the Panthers do have one of the most experienced coaches in the county with Hill, the county’s all-time winningest coach. Hill enters his 29th season and is 205-98-4, 217-99-4 if you count his first season at Downey in 1956. Hill doesn’t have a complicated blueprint for success this season. He just expects his team to compete. “This team has talent and a good nucleus with excellent prospects,” Hill said. “Our goal is to win league. But we will be young.” So what will help his young, untested team? “Just winning,” Hill said. “They need to get game experience without losing.” That could be a tough task considering the Panthers’ nonleague schedule includes Newport Harbor, San Clemente and Edison. “But we expect the Century League to be tough too,” Hill said. One of the key players on defense is Deason, a first-team all-league selection last season. The 6-3, 175-pound junior has the talent and size to develop into one of the top defensive backs in the county, Hill said. Oyenoki is a key member of an offensive line that shows promise and Hill said Starr will play quarterback.