TRABUCO HILLS

1996 RECORD: 6-5 overall, 3-2 in league

COACH: Bill Crow (9-12 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Adam Anderson, CB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Tony Buonacorsi, OG, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Brad Collins, C, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Dion Garcia, NT, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Brandon Heaney, WR, 6-0, 165, Jr.; Chris Lewis, TB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Tobey Minier, OT/DT, 6-2, 265, Sr.; Dustin Pratt, LB, 5-9, 190, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Joseph Edwards, QB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Jack Fadule, OT, 6-4, 225, Sr.; Al Gandall, FB, 5-10, 205, Jr.; Justin Junge, TE, 6-5, 225, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Like everyone else in the South Coast League, Trabuco Hills isn’t going to concede the league title to Mater Dei just yet. On paper, the Mustangs don’t have nearly the firepower, but like their league rivals, they aren’t weak. Lewis returns after rushing for 1,238 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns and Gandall completes a solid running-back combination. They should produce with Minier, Buonacorsi and Collins returning for a strong offensive line. Edwards, a quarterback transfer from Riverside Notre Dame, shows promise already, Crow said, and he’ll have some good receivers, including Heaney and Junge. Defensively, Crow said his team isn’t as settled. “There are positions to fill throughout the defense,” he said. Pratt, Anderson and Garcia are the keys to a defense that Crow hopes will come together sooner than it did last season. “We gave up 300 yards-plus rushing to both [Santa Margarita’s Billy] Newman and [Laguna Hills’ Mike] Jones in our first two games last season,” Crow said. But he just wants his team ready when league play rolls around. “Sure Mater Dei is the favorite,” Crow said. “But everyone is improved. You better be well prepared every week.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College; 19 vs. Laguna Hills; 26 vs. Villa Park.

Oct. 2 vs. Aliso Niguel; 10 vs. El Toro; 17 vs. Mission Viejo; 24 vs. San Clemente; 31 at Capistrano Valley.

Nov. 6 vs. Mater Dei at Cal State Fullerton; 14 vs. Dana Hills.