WESTMINSTER
1996 RECORD: 3-7 overall, 2-8 in league
COACH: Ted McMillen (0-0 at school)
RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 8 on defense
TOP RETURNERS
Erick Arthur, RB/LB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Juan Columbie, OL/DL, 6-4, 255, Sr.; Mike Cope, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Brad Davis, WR/DB, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Elijah McCarthy, QB/DB, 5-10, 155, Sr.; Joe Pendergrass, OL/LB, 5-10, 200, Jr.; Jeff Strohecker, OL/DL, 5-10, 275, Sr.; Tommy Tuggle, TE/LB, 6-0, 200, Jr.
TOP NEWCOMERS
James Holmes, OL/DL, 5-7, 200, Jr.; Josh Scott, OL/DL, 5-10, 220, Jr.; Jeff Shipp, OL/DL, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Junior Tau, TE/LB, 5-11, 200, Jr.
OUTLOOK
McMillen takes over for longtime Coach Stan Clark, who remains as the school athletic director. He inherits a small, tightly knit squad. It’s without the big names it had last season, though, so there are some major holes to fill. McMillen greeted 15 lettermen, but not a lot of new faces, so filling those holes may be difficult. “Our weakness is lack of depth,” McMillen said. “We have many two-way players.” McCarthy will be asked to move over from running back and fill the shoes of Shaun Spradling, who completed 81 of 176 passes for 1,247 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Spradling averaged more than 15 yards per completion, which was outstanding considering he was often under pressure or on the run. Also gone is running back Sparky Kale, who ran for 1,100 yards and averaged seven yards a carry. Wide receiver Chris Brewer, who averaged 19.4 yards a catch, will also have to be replaced. Columbie, an all-league selection last season, is expected to anchor both sides of the line along with Strohecker. McMillen really has a good feeling about how the team is meshing, despite the depth problem. “We have a strong first unit,” he said.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 13 vs. La Quinta at Bolsa Grande HS; 19 vs. Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach HS; 26 vs. Edison.
Oct. 3 vs. Marina at Huntington Beach HS; 10 vs. Huntington Beach; 16 vs. Servite; 24 vs. Ocean View; 31 vs. Santa Ana.
Nov. 8 vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium; 14 vs. Tustin.