SANTA ANA VALLEY

1997 RECORD: 3-7 overall, 2-3 in league

COACH: Eddie Steward (3-17 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 8 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Aaron Barragan, CB, 5-11, 150, Jr.; Larry Chavez, CB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Eliu Fatu, LB, 6-3, 225, Jr.; David Guevara, OLB, 5-10, 195, Jr.; Miguel Gutierrez, OT, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Joseph Salceda, LB, 6-0, 235, Sr.; Bryan Save, TE/LB, 6-3, 250, Sr.; Nafis Shareef, C, 6-0, 240, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Felipe Gomez, C, 5-10, 220, So.; Miguel Guerrero, QB, 5-11, 200, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Steward begins his third season with a group of seniors he coached when they were freshmen. “That freshman team went 7-3 with some good players,” Steward said. He has the program headed in the right direction after an 0-10 debut season. Although there were some positive signs last season, Steward and the Falcons weren’t completely satisfied. “We put ourselves in a position to make the playoffs in the final week,” Steward said. “But we fell behind early to Foothill and lost (56-7) that last game, and that left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.” The Falcons will try to return to the playoffs for the first time since their league title in 1995, and there are some marquee players to lead the way. Save is a Division I college prospect, and he may not even be the team’s best linebacker. Fatu was a first-team all-league linebacker last season while Save made second team. They helped the Falcons improve their defense from ’96 by giving up one-third fewer points. Offensively, Guerrero will be the team’s new quarterback and he has shown promise early. Another newcomer is Yesenia Campos, the first girl to make the school’s football team, Steward said.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 10 vs. Rancho Alamitos at Bolsa Grande HS; 17 vs. Kennedy at Santa Ana Stadium; 25 vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium.

Oct. 2 vs. Century at Tustin HS; 9 vs. Estancia at Santa Ana Stadium; 17 vs. Villa Park at Santa Ana Stadium; 23 vs. Canyon at El Modena HS; 29 vs. Orange at El Modena HS.

Nov. 5 vs. Foothill at Santa Ana Stadium; 12 at El Modena.