ESTANCIA
1996 RECORD: 7-3 overall, 2-3 in league
COACH: John Liebengood (49-62-2 at school)
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
TOP RETURNERS
Mike Briano, RG/DE, 5-11, 215, Sr.; James Dawkins, RB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Aaron Dew, DE, 5-11, 210, Sr.; German Diaz, FB/LB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Andy Galicia, TE, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Tim Johnson, LT/DL, 6-5, 260, Sr.; John Liebengood, LG/DT, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Manu Tanielu, RB/CB, 6-1, 175, Jr.; Steve Wilson, TE, 6-2, 210, Sr.
TOP NEWCOMERS
Matt Barnard, TE, 6-3, 175, Sr.; John Harris, RT, 6-3, 310, Sr.; John Meyer, CB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Dominick Meyers, DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Peter Nunez, LB, 6-1, 195, Jr.; Jeff Thompson, LB/FB, 6-0, 195, Jr.; Justin Wolter, QB, 6-1, 175, Sr.
OUTLOOK
The Eagles hammered five nonleague opponents by an average score of 41-13 before dropping their first three league games, the costliest being a 17-0 defeat by Costa Mesa that kept Estancia out of the playoffs. The Eagles are a formidable offensive threat because of their double wing offense; they scored 282 points in 1995, their highest total in a decade, and then scored 294 points last season. The scouting report on Estancia is pretty simple: try to find James Dawkins once the ball is snapped, then try to tackle him. Dawkins, in Estancia’s misdirection offense, rushed for 1,483 yards to finish among the county’s top 10. His 10.3 average was fourth highest. Tanielu could also get a lot of yards, as did the graduated Chris Felix, who averaged 8.7 yards per carry. Any kind of season from QB Wolter, up from a 5-2-2 junior varsity team, would greatly help the Eagles take second place. Estancia’s offense could easily have similar numbers this season.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 11 vs. Century at Newport Harbor HS; 19 at Buena Park; 26 vs. Calvary Chapel at Newport Harbor HS.
Oct. 3 vs. Ocean View at Huntington Beach HS; 10 vs. Katella at Newport Harbor HS; 17 vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo HS; 24 vs. Costa Mesa at Newport Harbor HS; 31 at Aliso Niguel.
Nov. 6 vs. Laguna Beach at Newport Harbor HS; 14 vs. University at Orange Coast College.