CAPISTRANO VALLEY

1995 RECORD: 9-3 overall, 4-1 in league.

COACH: Dave Brown (9-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Malaefou MacKenzie, RB/DB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Charlie Landrigan, LB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Austin Moherman, QB, 6-5, 195, Sr.; Todd Puffer, WR, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Curt Rodriguez, FS, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Austin Allen, LB, 6-2, 215, Jr.; Blake Worley, OT, 6-6, 260, Jr.; Renato Muratalla, NT, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Ben Pitzer, OT, 6-5, 255, Sr.; Mike Torres, TE/LB, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Jon Edmonds, WR, 6-0, 185, Sr.; John Kissel, SS, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Gary Newhouser, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Ryan Brown, RB, 6-0, 215, Jr.; Kevin Johansen, C, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Chad Culbertson, OL, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Scott Hawkins, OL, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Trent Guest, C/RB, 5-10, Sr.; Kale Mount, QB/WR, 6-2, 180, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

David Elecerri, DL, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Joe Brown, DB/QB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Spanky Michaelis, DL, 5-11, 200, Jr.; Mike Gunther, OL, 6-2, 230, Jr.; Tucker Johnson, DL, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Scott Brenton, OL, 6-3, 235, Jr.; Matt Geiss, WR, 5-9, 155, Jr.; Tyler Moore, OL, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Craig Tortorici, DB, 5-11, 170, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Cougars should contend with Mater Dei for the league title and the top spot in the county. Their strength is offense, where second-team all-county selection MacKenzie and second-team all-league quarterback Moherman return. MacKenzie rushed for 1,317 yards last season and Moherman passed for 1,314. They will rebuild their defense around first-team all-league linebacker Landrigan as well as Allen and Torres. Honorable mention all-league free safety Rodriguez also will be key. Tortorici is a transfer from Parker, Colo., and Elecerri rejoins the team after sitting out a year.