ALISO NIGUEL

1996 RECORD: 14-0 overall, 5-0 in league

COACH: Joe Wood (26-10-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 1 on offense, 3 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Ryan Alvarez, OL, 6-2, 240, Jr.; Ethan Brooks, OL, 6-3, 250, So.; Ryan Gray, OL, 6-4, 280, Sr.; Josh Ivy, DB, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Jake Jacobs, DE, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Pedro Marmol, DL, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Alex Musha, LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Johnny Tran, DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; David Waltzman, P/K, 6-1, 200, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Lee Brennan, RB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Byron DeCuir, DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Ryan Elewaut, DB, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Dean Gerasimou, DE, 5-11, 200, So.; Adam Gingras, LB, 6-0, 195, Jr.; Rich Hada, DB, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Jared Hill, QB, 6-1, 175, So.; Mike Koch, WR, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Ryan Kunzi, LB, 5-11, 200, Jr.; Justin Marchetti, QB/TE, 6-4, 190, Jr.; John McKee, QB/WR, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Mike Roush, WR, 5-11, 175, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Last year’s graduating class, which won the Southern Section’s Division VIII championship with a 32-21 victory over Pacifica, was the school’s first four-year class and had plenty of time to learn together as a unit; its success last season was expected. It will be interesting to see how this season’s group develops because it lacks the same varsity experience. The offense, which averaged 31 points in the playoffs and 35.7 during the regular season, has only one returning starter, Gray, the right tackle who was also a Times second-team all-county player. Quarterback Wes Thomas, an all-leaguer, moved with his family to Yosemite in early August after the Wolverines’ summer camp. Hill, McKee and senior Ken Elowe will try to replace him, but none has taken a varsity snap. Justin Marchetti, a transfer from New Jersey, could also emerge. Waltzman, like Gray, was a second-team all-league choice. The secondary should be a strength, but the PCL isn’t a notable passing league.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 at Dana Hills; 19 at Mission Viejo; 26 vs. Santiago.

Oct. 2 at Trabuco Hills; 10 vs. Woodbridge; 16 vs. Costa Mesa at Newport Harbor HS; 24 at Laguna Beach; 31 vs. Estancia.

Nov. 7 vs. University; 13 vs. Laguna Hills.