LA QUINTA

1995 RECORD: 1-9 overall, 1-5 in league.

COACH: Jeff Veeder (0-0 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 9 on offense, 10 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Daniel Almazan, WR/QB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Jerome Auau, G/LB, 5-11, 210, , Sr.; Jahmal Dawkins, RB/SS, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Tavares Fausto, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Nick Gagne, G/LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; James Gibson, TE/DL, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Paul Jimenez, WR/DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Paul Lewis, FB/LB, 5-8, 210, Sr.; Alex Pulido, RB/LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Jeff Tafulu, OL/DL, 6-3, 245, Sr.; Javier Verduzzo, OL/DL, 6-3, 240, Jr.; Trent Zepeda, RB/LB, 5-7, 185, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Beau Walters, LB, 5-11, 195, Jr.; Adrial Gomez, OL/DL, 5-10, 260, Jr.; Jerald Laird, OLB, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Grant Ohta, TE/LB, 5-9, 185, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Veeder, who was a defensive coordinator at Sante Fe Springs St. Paul, has most of his starters back and he seems to have created some excitement. Forty players came out for football, which has always played second fiddle to baseball at La Quinta. With 19 starting positions back, Veeder is predicting a big improvement. “I’d like to see six wins,” he said. “I think it’s within reach. I think some heads are going to turn.” Veeder thinks he biggest improvement should be in the offensive and defensive lines. “I’d take our front line guys against anybody’s,” Veeder said. “The problem is they have to play both ways.” La Quinta’s most valuable two-way players are Dawkins and Gibson, who are both being heavily recruited.