WESTMINSTER

1995 RECORD: 6-5 overall, 3-2 in league.

COACH: Stan Clark (37-56-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 7 on offense, 8 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Sparky Kale, RB, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Shaun Spradling, QB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Booker Gamboa, OL, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Juan Columbie, OT, 6-5, 285, Jr.; Chris Brewer, WR, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Barnaby Ortega, LB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Donnie Garcia, C, 5-10, 245, Jr.; Erick Gutierrez, OG, 240, Sr.; Erick Arthur RB/DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Junior Finai, WR, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Mike Cope, WR, 6-0, 175, So.; Tommy Tuggle, TE, 6-2, 215, So.; Jeff Strohecker, OT, 5-11, 255, Jr.

OUTLOOK

There’s excitement at the school, where Clark has one of the more talented Lion teams in a few years. Kale set a school record last season, averaging eight yards a carry, while gaining 777 yards. Westminster would show moments of brilliance in moving the ball last season, then find a way not to score. They were limited to two touchdowns or less in six of their 10 games and failed to make the playoffs. This year, however, “If we are not in the playoffs, I’ll be disappointed,” Clark said of this team, which has balance on both offense and defense. There’s even some size, as in the 6-2 Tuggle and 6-5, 285-pound Columbie, or the 240-pound Gutierrez. Beyond the 15 returning starters, depth is a problem, as only 20 players are back from last year’s team. Clark breaks with his counterparts and thinks Tustin will upset Servite and should be favored to take the league title.