PALOMAR

1995 RECORDS: 5-5-0 overall, 2-4-0 in the division.

COACH: Mark Eldridge (record at Palomar, 0-0)

RETURNING STARTERS: Four on offense, six on defense.

OUTLOOK: Palomar moves to the Central Division from the Northern Division of the Mission Conference. The Comets have long been known for wide-open offenses, which included everything from the no-huddle to the five-receiver set. The last eight starting quarterbacks have each thrown for more than 3,000 yards. Jason Wanstreet, a freshman from Escondido Orange Glen High, is the starting quarterback this season. He will be protected by an offensive line that averages 280 pounds. Richard Tuifao, who is 6 feet 4 and 310 pounds, was an all-conference lineman last season and returns. Kuresa Talo (6-1, 310), who is from American Samoa, is also back. Sophomore Shane Cartwright (5-9, 165) and Glen Reyes (6-0, 175) return at wide receiver and are joined by Charles DeJurnett (6-4, 190), who was a starter on the 1994 team. Palomar figures to be strong on defense because Eldridge is a former defensive coordinator. He was last with the football program in 1991, when the Comets shared a J.C. Grid-Wire national title under then coach Tom Craft. Eldridge is also the college’s softball coach. The defensive unit will be led by returning all-conference end Jason Mageo (6-1, 243) and all-conference linebacker Jason Burk (6-1, 215). Keith Miller (6-2, 225) is back at linebacker as are defensive backs Reggie Mitchell (6-2, 175) and Dan Schartmann (6-1, 212). Palomar is looking to return to a bowl game after having its streak of six in a row stopped last season.