RANCHO ALAMITOS

1997 RECORD: 11-1 overall, 6-0 in league

COACH: Doug Case (43-15-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 on offense, 3 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Juan Alvarez, OL/DL, 6-1, 235, Sr.; Sunika Atuatasi, RB/DB, 6-0, 205, Jr.; Mario Gomez, RB/LB, 5-11, 195, Jr.; George Gonzalez, QB/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Anthony Huizar, RB/LB, 5-11, 205, Sr.; John Ochoa, OL/DL, 6-2, 225, Sr.; Lauti Sakoria, WR/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Adam Laguisan, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Mike Mitchell, OL/DL, 5-11, 225, Jr.; Mike Pounds, RB/DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Case has led the Vaqueros to two consecutive undefeated regular seasons, but the key players from those teams are gone. What remains are some talented athletes, mainly Gonzalez and Huizar, but not a lot of depth. With the graduation of game-breakers David Vickers and Alex Blanco, Rancho Alamitos will be more pass-oriented. No, that is not a misprint. Case expects to feature Gonzalez, one of the county’s better all-around players, in a veer offense. Huizar is a tough runner and a devastating hitter on defense. Rancho might not have another perfect regular season, but it should be in the hunt for the league title again.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 10 vs. Santa Ana Valley at Bolsa Grande HS; Sept. 18 vs. Esperanza at Bolsa Grande HS; Sept. 25 at Western.

Oct. 1 vs. Lakewood Mayfair at Garden Grove HS; Oct. 8 at Garden Grove; Oct. 16 vs. Santiago at Garden Grove HS; Oct. 23 at Bolsa Grande; Oct. 30 vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS

Nov. 5 vs. La Quinta at Bolsa Grande HS; Nov. 13 vs. Los Amigos at Bolsa Grande HS.