SONORA

1996 RECORD: 2-8 overall, 1-4 in league

COACH: Mark Takkinen (19-29 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 3 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Jacob Boggs, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Aby Gomez, RB/LB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Dustin Marshall, RB/LB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Jason McMillan, OL/DL, 5-11, 205, Sr.; John Ngo, RB/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Mark Pascual, RB/DB. 5-9, 165; Clint Patton, QB/DB, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Jason Ross, OL/DL, 6-3, 235, Sr.; Aaron Winterswyk, TE/LB, 6-4, 235, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Dustin Blain, WR/DB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Dan Budd, OL/DL, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Norman Fair, OL/DL, 5-11, 280, Sr.; Jordan Nelson, OL/DL, 6-6, 285, Sr.; Nick Reeser, WR/DB, 5-8, 165, Sr.; Steve Sanchez, OL/DL, 5-9, 165, Sr.

OUTLOOK

The Raiders endured a nightmarish 1996 season, finding all kinds of ways to lose games, although none more crushing than the last-second 34-33 loss to La Habra. Takkinen will welcome back 26 lettermen. How much they are welcomed depends on what improvements Sonora has made. The Raiders are counting on Patton (36 of 90, 568 yards)--who had more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five)--to be better, but he is working behind a rebuilt offensive line. Boggs, Gomez, and Marshall all will get a chance to replace last year’s leading rusher, Justin Binggeli. On defense, the secondary lacks varsity experience; all four starters from last year graduated. And although there are nonleague land mines in Laguna Hills and Edison to navigate, Sonora does play three of their five Freeway games at home. Still, perhaps the biggest question looming over Sonora is whether the remaining Raiders have short memories of last season, or lingering ones.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo HS; 19 vs. Savanna at Glover Stadium; 26 vs. Garden Grove at La Habra HS.

Oct. 3 vs. Bell Gardens at La Habra HS; 9 vs. Edison at Huntington Beach HS; 17 vs. Troy at La Habra HS; 24 vs. Fullerton at La Habra HS; 31 vs. Sunny Hills at Buena Park HS.

Nov. 7 at La Habra; 14 at Buena Park.