VILLA PARK
1997 RECORD: 6-4-1 overall, 4-1 in league
COACH: Pat Mahoney (88-66-2 at school)
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
TOP RETURNERS
Jeff Anderson, OL/DL, 6-2, 265, Jr.; Nick Busciglio, DB/TB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Steve Choate, LB/OL, 5-9, 182, Sr.; Mike Clements, DB/K, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Dache Dameron, TB/DB, 5-8, 178, Sr.; Dallas Dapper, WR/DB, 5-9, 158, Sr.; Spencer Grace, TE/QB/DE, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Josh Harnett, FB/OL, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Matt Mahoney, C/DL, 5-9, 198, Sr.; Nick Wynn, OL/DL, 6-3, 225, Sr.
TOP NEWCOMERS
Brian Arguello, WR/DB, 5-9, 155, So.; Anthony Bologna, DL, 6-2, 248, Jr.; Bert Cabacla, LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; John Jackson, QB, 5-10, 165, So.; Matt Lawrence, OL, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Sonny Ueligitone, LB/FB, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Mike Vinson, OL, 6-2, 220, Sr.
OUTLOOK
Defending league champion Villa Park is the preseason favorite and Coach Mahoney has good reason to be optimistic. Dameron returns after rushing for 898 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging nearly five yards per carry last season. An experienced line also returns anchored by Matt Mahoney, Anderson and Wynn. And the Spartans are deep up front. “We have 10 solid linemen and that gives us a little depth,” Coach Mahoney said. “In my 15 years here, we’ve only had that kind of depth maybe three or four times.” Dapper is another solid player who will get the ball at wide receiver, running back or kick returner. At quarterback, Mahoney may start a sophomore for the first time. Jackson led the freshmen to an 8-1-1 record last season. Defensively, Busciglio anchors a tough secondary. Ueligitone, a volleyball standout who transferred from Oceanside, is inexperienced but may develop into the dominant linebacker the Spartans need to solidify their defense.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 11 at Valencia; 18 vs. Katella at Glover Stadium; 24 vs. Trabuco Hills at El Modena HS.
Oct. 1 vs. Loara at El Modena HS; 9 vs. Savanna at Western HS; 17 vs. Santa Ana Valley at Santa Ana Stadium; 23 vs. Foothill at Tustin HS; 30 at El Modena.
Nov. 6 vs. Orange at El Modena HS; 13 vs. Canyon at El Modena HS.