UNIVERSITY

1996 RECORD: 3-7 overall, 1-4 in league

COACH: Mark Cunningham (47-70-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Jeff Albinio, WR, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Victor Begazo, FB/LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Gearson Contento, RB/DB, 5-6, 140, Sr.; Damian Defeo, QB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Chris Gray, K/DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Young Han, CB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Justin Isaac, TE/LB, 6-3, 235, Sr.; Matt Kirby, DE, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Sean Nguyen, OL/DL, 6-1, 235, Jr.; John Preston, DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Tom Roney, OL/LB, 6-3, 240, Sr.; Jon Rossi, DB/WR, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Jon Torres, DL, 6-1, 200, Jr.; Austin Wade, WR, 6-2, 185, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Keith Burke, OL, 6-2, 245, Jr.; Andy Dennis, QB, 6-2, 170, Jr.; Chet Johnson, WR/DB, 6-3, 190, Jr.; Shaun Murray, DL, 6-0, 205, Jr.; Jacque Newsome, RB, 5-9, 165, So.; Jimmy Owen, OL, 6-3, 230, So.; Jarvohn Shivers, WR/DB, 6-3, 180, Jr.; Armando Venegas, OL, 5-10, 265, So.

OUTLOOK

The Trojans should be the league’s most-improved team and make a run at second place along with Costa Mesa and Estancia. Defeo, Roney, Contento and Isaac begin their third seasons as starters. The offensive line, anchored by Roney and Nguyen, must give the Trojans a chance to exploit their strength at the skill positions, which includes the elusive Contento, the possession receiver Albinio, and three tall receivers who can take advantage of height mismatches in the secondary, Shivers, Johnson and Wade. Roney and Isaac anchor a strong linebacking corps in front of an experienced secondary. Torres, Kirby and Nguyen return to the defensive front alongside newcomer Murray.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 at Irvine; 19 at El Monte Arroyo; 26 vs. Woodbridge at Irvine HS.

Oct. 3 vs. Orange Lutheran at Brea Olinda HS; 10 vs. Saddleback at Irvine HS; 17 vs. Laguna Beach at Irvine HS; 25 vs. Laguna Hills at Irvine HS; 31 vs. Costa Mesa at Newport Harbor HS.

Nov. 7 at Aliso Niguel; 14 vs. Estancia at Orange Coast College.