LOARA

1996 RECORD: 8-4 overall, 4-1 in league

COACH: John deFries (32-37 at the school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Robert Alvarado, OL, 6-3, 255, Sr.; Joel Barker, OL, 6-5, 238, Sr.; Bill Barton, OL, 6-2, 238, Sr.; Danny Diersing, DL, 6-0, 178, Sr.; Nick Lara, DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Sam Marks, DL, 6-1, 235, Sr.; Michael Morales, QB/RB/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Jose Moreno, K, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Michael Parett, OL, 6-6, 310, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Sajwan Abdullah, LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Mike Eshelman, WR, 6-3, 170, Sr.; Andy Gusjiaodo, RB, 5-7, 145, Sr.; Jaime Gutierrez, DB, 5-7, 145, Jr.; Eric Montes, FB/LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Oswaldo Ochoa, WR, 5-9, 145, Sr.; Aaron Ohero, DL, 6-1, 183, Sr.; Johnny Patton, TE, 6-3, 175, Jr.; Ryan Quintrell, DB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Ryan Shea, OL, 5-11, 230, Jr.; Khemdrak Tor, RB/DB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Alex Tran, DB, 5-8, 150, Sr.

OUTLOOK

DeFries must have been confident of Loara winning the league for the second time in three years last season, but no one could have predicted El Dorado’s success. Although the Saxons lost some key players to graduation, including quarterback Archie Lappin (2,420 yards, 19 touchdowns, 10 interceptions), the school’s all-time yardage leader (5,349)--deFries has plenty left. Loara will be big and strong on both lines and the large number of available defensive backs should make the secondary strong and dependable. If he’s not moved to quarterback, Morales (17 catches, 316 yards, one touchdown) heads up a swift, if somewhat inexperienced, receiving corps. Whoever becomes quarterback doesn’t have to be another Lappin, just run the offense without making big mistakes.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 at Western; 18 vs. Anaheim at Glover Stadium; 25 vs. Los Alamitos at Veterans Stadium.

Oct. 2 vs. Villa Park at Western HS; 10 vs. El Modena at Glover Stadium; 17 vs. Century at Santa Ana Stadium; 24 vs. Katella at Glover Stadium; 30 vs. Kennedy at Western HS.

Nov. 7 vs. Cypress at Western HS; 14 vs. El Dorado at Glover Stadium.