NEWPORT HARBOR

1996 RECORD: 12-2 overall, 4-1 in league

COACH: Jeff Brinkley (88-43 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Brett Baker, DB, 5-11, 184, Sr.; Phil Baltazar, OG, 6-3, 213, Sr.; Eddie Clarke, OT, 6-5, 230, Sr.; Oscar Constandse, DB, 6-0, 172, Sr.; Derek Fox, DT, 6-1, 300, Sr.; Oscar Garcia, WR, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Steve Gorman, QB, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Garrett Govaars, WR, 6-3, 175, Sr.; Carlos Henriquez, FB, 5-9, 207, Jr.; Pete Hogan, TE/LB, 6-4, 225, Sr.; Eddie Johnson, K/P, 6-4, 230, Jr.; Lucas Kerr, DB, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Kevin Klytta, OG, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Lamar Lee, WR/DB, 5-8, 145, Jr.; Mike Marshall, OT/DE, 6-3, 200, Jr.; Michael Stanton, DT, 6-1, 228, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Billy Clayton, QB, 6-2, 170, So.; Robert Cole, OT, 6-4, 300, So.; Blair Jones, OT, 6-6, 212, So.; Nick Langsdorf, TE, 6-3, 196, So.; Shawn O’Donnell, LB, 6-1, 181, Jr.; Mike Tunney, LB, 5-8, 183, So.

OUTLOOK

For the first time, most of the Sailors’ two-way players are linemen instead of skill players, which puts added pressure on the reserves. Clark, a sleeper prospect at left tackle, and left guard Baltazar are making the transition to defensive line, sandwiched around Fox. Hill, a tight end, was moved to tackle, “the best move we made in the off-season,” Brinkley said. It gives the Sailors a strong offensive front. Linebackers, led by Hogan, should be strong, along with the secondary, which returns Baker and Constandse. Question marks abound at the skill positions, but Gorman and Clayton were terrific in summer passing leagues; Gorman threw only two interceptions in 16 games, the kind of numbers that bring to mind Josiah Fredriksen (29 TDs, 6 interceptions last season).

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Orange at El Modena HS; 19 vs. Marina; 26 at Torrance.

Oct. 3 vs. Canyon; 9 vs. Savanna; 18 vs. Woodbridge; 24 vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College; 31 vs. El Toro at Trabuco Hills HS.

Nov. 7 vs. Irvine; 14 vs. Corona del Mar.