HUNTINGTON BEACH

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

COACH: Tony Ciarelli (0-0 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

John Barthel, DL, 6-0, 250, Jr.; Brent Chancellor, WR/K, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Ryan Dubose, OL/DL, 6-0, 245, Sr.; Adam Fisher, OL, 6-6, 290, Sr.; James Guglielmana, DL, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Kyle Mann, DB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Jeff Morrison, OL, 6-3, 240, Jr.; Adam Nyssen, LB/FB, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Brendon Rosen, OL, 6-3, 255, Jr.; Vince Strang, WR, 5-7, 125, Sr.; Damon Van Hoorebeke, RB/DB, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Tony Wanger, DL, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Eric Yang, LB/FB, 5-9, 185, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Justin Brion, DL, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Erik Cabrera, WR, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Dave Craft, LB, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Jeff Emerson, QB, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Kyle Holmes, DB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Jeff Lineberger, QB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Sam Lightbody, OL, 6-7, 220, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Ciarelli has spent the past eight years building an impeccable reputation as the strength coach at Newport Harbor, which reached the Division V title game last year. He had spurned other head coaching offers; so why take the Oilers job? Call it family ties. His dad played on the 1946 league championship team, Ciarelli played football here in 1969-71 and his nephew, Nick Ziegler, played for the Oilers in 1992-93. “This is the only job I would have ever taken,” Ciarelli said. Hopefully he understands the task ahead. The Oilers have fallen on hard times recently, having won only one Sunset game the past two years. Ciarelli will need some time to establish his methods. It will start in the weight room; if nothing else the Huntington Beach linemen will be stronger and more fit. His next key decision will be replacing graduated quarterback Dave Van Hoorebeke. Lineberger, on the strength of being the senior and having an excellent summer passing league, gets the first chance.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Downey; 18 vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS; 26 vs. San Clemente.

Oct. 2 vs. Tustin; 10 at Westminster; 17 vs. Edison at Orange Coast College; 24 vs. Marina; 31 vs. Esperanza.

Nov. 7 vs. Fountain Valley; 13 vs. Los Alamitos.