CANYON

1995 RECORD: 6-4-1 overall, 2-2-1 in league.

COACH: Bob Hughes (19-11-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 1 on defense.

TOP RETURNERS

Matt Franco, RB/OLB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Peter Frousiakis, OE/OLB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Dan Gutierrez, C/LB, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Chris Hall, DE/OG, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Omar Khashen, OT/DT, 6-1, 300, Sr.; Andy Kulonis, DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Ryan Newman, OE/DT, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Jamel Robinson, OT, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Chad Scott, WR/DB, 6-1, 165, Sr.; Craig Scott, QB, 6-2, 160, Sr.; Eric Severson, OE/DE, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Mike Shapiro, OG, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Mike Stapleton, DT/OG, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Komron Tarkeshian, RB/DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Jesus Ureno, OT/DT, 6-3, 225, Jr.; Scott Walker, K/P, 5-11, 180, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Jermaine Montgomery, RB/DB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Kurtis Phillips, WR/DB, 6-2, 160, Sr.; Ryan Rodriguez, OE/DE, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Brian Tracy, C/LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.

OUTLOOK

If Canyon hopes to challenge Foothill and Villa Park, it will have to rely on a potent offense led by starting quarterback Scott and returning running backs Tarkeshian and Franco. Scott passed for 1,091 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and led Canyon to a 28-19 victory over league champion Santa Ana Valley in the final regular-season game to clinch a playoff berth. Tarkeshian, Franco and Montgomery should find room to run behind an offensive line led by Khashen and Hall. The defense will be anchored around defensive tackle Stapleton, a first-team all-league selection. “Defensively, we’ve been good through the years and I’m hoping we’ll develop a solid defense,” Hughes said. “This group has really come together as a team and I’m optimistic. But it’s always hard to say this early.”