RANCHO ALAMITOS

1996 RECORD: 12-1 overall, 6-0 in league

COACH: Doug Case (32-14-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 9 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Ruben Amaya, S/OT, 6-0, 245, Sr.; Nu Atuatasi, TE/LB, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Alex Blanco, RB/DB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Eric Camarillo, TE/LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; George Gonzalez, QB/DB, 5-10, 155, Jr.; Anthony Huizar, RB/LB, 5-10, 200, Jr.; Robert Kosi, DB/RB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Josh Petalos, DB/TE, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Cesar Quijas, OT/DT, 6-2, 275, Sr.; Alfie Ramos, DT/OT, 6-0, 300, Sr.; Ralph Sakaria, DT/OT, 5-10, 245, Sr.; Tony Salgado, OT/DT, 6-0, 255, Sr.; Mike Saumell, DE/G, 5-11, 200, Sr.; David Vickers, LB/RB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Shawn Young, WR/DB, 6-2, 195, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Juan Alvarez, OT/DT, 6-0, 220, Jr.; John Ochoa, DT/OT, 6-1, 215, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Vaqueros are favorites to win the league and Division VIII titles. They will be tested early, playing Orange County preseason No. 8 Esperanza in their second game. Second-team all-county selection Vickers and Blanco will split time at running back to replace Times player of the year Leo Kosi. An untested Gonzalez will replace graduated Taylor Yandell at quarterback. First-team all-county linebacker Atuatasi is back (105 tackles, 60 unassisted).

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Troy at Bolsa Grande HS; 18 vs. Esperanza at Valencia HS; 25 vs. Western at Bolsa Grande HS.

Oct. 3 vs. Garden Grove at Bolsa Grande HS; 10 vs. Santiago at Garden Grove HS; 17 at Bolsa Grande; 23 vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS; 31 vs. La Quinta at Bolsa Grande HS.

Nov. 7 vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove HS; 13 vs. Covina at Bolsa Grande HS.