CENTURY

1997 RECORD: 2-8 overall, 0-5 in league

COACH: Marty Albert (0-0 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 8 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Ramiro Carasa, RB/S, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Danny Chavez, OL/LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Jaime Chavez, WR/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Alex Garibay, OL-DL, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Gus Gonzalez, RB/DB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Rafael Ramos, WR/DB, 5-11, 160, Jr.; Tino Rivera, RB/LB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Joel Valdez, QB-S, 6-1, 167, Jr.; Kevin Watson, C/LB, 6-3, 250, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Isidro Davalos, RB/LB, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Joel Mijares, TE/DB, 6-2, 180, Jr.; Luis Mollineda, OL/DL, 6-1, 235, Sr.; Jerry Reyes, OL/DL, 5-10, 185, Jr.;

OUTLOOK

Albert will need every bit of the experience he has gained from his 30 years of coaching in Ohio, San Diego and Orange County to lead Century out of the Empire League cellar. The Centurions’ closest league loss was 14-0 against Loara in their opener. Albert said he is being realistic about his rebuilding plan. “We have to get a league win first,” he said. “We have to start somewhere.” This year, Albert will build around Carasa, a first-team all-league linebacker who also rushed for nearly 700 yards. “He’s just a player,” Albert said. “He finds the football and runs to it.” Albert is moving Carasa to safety and Watson, an all-league lineman, to linebacker. Jaime Chavez, who missed most of last season because of a knee injury, will also start in the secondary. The offense will have a new look. Albert is scrapping the two-back set for the wing-T, which he is bringing in from his days in Strongsville, Ohio. “We’re not real big, so we’ll try to rely on our quickness and some deception,” Albert said.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 10 vs. Santiago at Santa Ana Stadium; 18 at Norwalk Glenn; 25 vs. Ocean View at Westminster HS.

Oct. 2 vs. Santa Ana Valley at Tustin HS; 8 vs. Whittier at Santa Ana Stadium; Oct. 16 vs. El Dorado at Santa Ana Stadium; 23 at Cypress; 30 at Katella.

Nov. 7 vs. Kennedy at Santa Ana Stadium; 13 at Loara.