SANTA MARGARITA
1996 RECORD: 13-1 overall, 5-0 in league
COACH: Jim Hartigan (70-25-1 at school)
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 9 on defense
TOP RETURNERS
Matt Brooks, WR, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Troy Brenes, DL, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Nick Cappelletti, LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Jarlath Curran, C, 6-2, 227, Sr.; Andrew Holstein, LB, 5-11, 177, Sr.; Andy Hopper, DL, 5-11, 172, Sr.; Shaun Jackson, OL/DL, 6-3, 235, Sr.; Ryan Mannix, OL/DL, 6-1, 230, Sr.; John Minardi, WR/FS, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Carson Palmer, QB, 6-4, 210, Sr.; Jason Rowell, DL, 5-10, 200, Sr.; John Schweitzer, WR/DB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Nick Sparks, K, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Matt Strickroth, OL/DL, 6-4, 207, Sr.; Garrett Thompson, DB, 5-7, 136, Jr.
TOP NEWCOMERS
Jordan Beckner, TE, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Grant Brown, TE, 6-5, 213, Sr.; Derek Early, OL, 6-2, 192, Jr.; Mike O’Gorman, WR, 6-2, 190, Jr.
OUTLOOK
The Eagles outscored four playoff opponents, 158-6, including a 31-0 victory over Tustin, the highest-scoring team in county history. Nine starters are back from that defense, led by Holstein, Jackson and Strickroth. The high-powered offense lost the county’s second-leading rusher, Billy Newman (2,320 yards, 24 touchdowns), but return six starters and add Wolfsberger, a transfer who rushed for 1,362 yards (7.8 per carry) at Capistrano Valley Christian. Palmer, who passed for 2,084 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions, returns as one of the nation’s top prospects. But Palmer might have a stress fracture in his right foot. Hartigan said Palmer would need a doctor’s approval to play in the season opener. Also returning is Minardi, who caught 42 passes and averaged 24.8 yards per catch. Santa Margarita is the favorite to win the league--and a whole lot more.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 12 vs. Trabuco Hills at Saddleback College; 19 at Las Vegas Durango HS; 26 vs. Servite at Cal State Fullerton.
Oct. 2 at El Modena; 10 vs. Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach HS; 17 vs. Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor HS; 24 vs. Newport Harbor at Saddleback College; 31 vs. Irvine at Saddleback College.
Nov. 7 vs. Woodbridge at Irvine HS; 14 vs. El Toro at Saddleback College.