GARDEN GROVE

1997 RECORD: 3-6-1 overall, 2-3-1 in league

COACH: Kris Van Hook (3-6-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Miguel Calderon, OL/DL, 5-11, 240, Jr.; Ricardo Cepeda, OL/DL, 5-10, 205, Jr.; Junior Diaz, OL/LB, 6-1, 235, Jr.; Miguel Medina, WR/DB, 6-1, 175, Jr.; Eddie Vailolo, FB/LB, 6-0, 210, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Alex Arreguin, QB/DB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Brandon Bouck, RB/DB, 5-7, 165, Jr.; Aaron Buccholz, TE/LB, 6-3, 210, Jr.; Matt Crippen, QB/DB, 6-2, 175, Jr.; Sterling Trotter, RB/DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Argonauts haven’t reached the playoffs since 1992, so there is plenty to shoot for this season. Van Hook had more than 90 players in his program over the summer, but that number fell to about 60 by the fall because of defections and ineligibility. Two of those ineligible players were would-be starters on the offensive line. The good news is that three starters return on the offensive line, as does Vailolo, a big, strong back who will get most of the carries in a two-back set with Trotter. The battle for the starting quarterback position is being waged between Arreguin, a transfer from Georgia, and Crippen, a transfer from Los Amigos who started his career at Garden Grove. The defense should be fairly solid and more experienced than the offensive side. “We have some decent size and athletic ability,” Van Hook said.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 at El Modena; 18 vs. Garden Grove; 25 vs. Estancia at Orange Coast College.

Oct. 2 vs. Los Amigos; 8 vs. Rancho Alamitos; 17 vs. Lakewood Artesia; 23 vs. Santiago; 29 at Bolsa Grande.

Nov. 6 vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS; 13 vs. La Quinta.