IRVINE

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

COACH: Terry Henigan (96-56-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Darren Bell, DB, 5-6, 170, Sr.; Ryan Brucker, WR, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Ryan Dickie, OG, 6-3, 275, Sr.; Sal Drasdo, OG, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Jared Flint, QB, 6-5, 185, Sr.; Tim Langham, DL, 5-10, 210, Sr.; Ryan Morehouse, DL, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Binh Nguyen, DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Creed Poulsen, TE, 6-4, 180, Sr.; Jake Savona, RB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Oli Sicat, DL, 5-8, 200, Sr.; Mark Spohn, OT, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Paul Strom, OT, 6-5, 235, Sr.; Jon Taylor, LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Luke Wright, DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Victor Flores, DL, 5-10, 210, Jr.; Bryan Nieruchalski, 6-2, 195, Jr.; Robby Yaegel, C, 6-1, 230, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The offensive line has some size with Dickie, Drasdo, Spohn and Strom, and that should make Savona and Flint that much better. Flint, who accomplished the Irvine rarity of starting at quarterback as a junior, completed 59.5% of his passes but had eight interceptions accompanying 10 touchdowns. His 12.4 yards per completion was the lowest among the county’s top 21 quarterbacks last season. Savona (750 yards, 4.7 per carry), who shared carries with senior Russ Diehl, emerged as the leading rusher as the season wore on and scored 13 touchdowns. Strom (6-5, 235) could become the lineman all-county Joel Sugg (6-5, 250) was, while Bell should be one of the league’s best defensive backs. Irvine won three of its last four games to qualify for the playoffs with Division V’s only at-large berth, but was beaten in the first round by Santa Ana Valley, 31-14.