SANTIAGO
1997 RECORD: 3-6-1 overall, 2-3-1 in league
COACH: Ben Haley (18-22 at school)
RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 6 on defense
TOP RETURNERS
Christian Aguirre, DB, 5-6, 151, Jr.; Benny Cruz, LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Jason Garcia, OL, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Joe Gonzalez, OL, 6-5, 275, Sr.; David Haungia, OL, 6-0, 285, Sr.; Trung Ibarra, OL, 5-10, 260, Sr.; Steve Juarez, QB/DB, 5-6, 165, Jr.; Albert Lara, DB/WR, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Kalolo Leausouga, RB/LB, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Daniel Melendez, RB/LB, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Trung Nguyen, DB, 5-8, 145, Sr.; Adolph Robles, OL, 6-1, 265, Sr.; Bryan Thomas, RB/LB, 5-8, 155, Jr.; James Thomas, RB, 5-10, 165, Sr.
TOP NEWCOMERS
Joe Bonilla, DL, 5-11, 275, Jr.; Nick Fitch, LB, 5-11, 185, So.; Anthoney Garcia, TE, 6-1, 185, So.; Johnny Lueta, OL, 6-2, 285, So.; Brandon Perry, RB, 5-11, 155, So.; Brian Pilkington, QB, 6-5, 185, So.
OUTLOOK
Haley has plenty of reasons to be excited about his fifth year. He has the core of last year’s team back, a 9-1 freshman class that will be sophomores and Pilkington, one of the more promising young quarterbacks in the county. Pilkington, who pitched a no-hitter last season for Santiago’s varsity team, didn’t start playing football until last year but is developing quickly. “He’s 6-5 and can throw the ball 80 yards,” Haley said. “He’s every bit as good as Todd Marinovich was as a sophomore.”
SCHEDULE
Sept. 10 at Century; 18 at Santa Ana; 24 vs. Magnolia at Garden Grove HS.
Oct. 1 vs. La Quinta at Bolsa Grande HS; 9 vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove HS; 16 vs. Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove HS; 29 at Norwalk.
Nov. 6 vs. Bolsa Grande at Garden Grove HS; 12 vs. Pacifica at Garden Grove HS.