WESTMINSTER

1997 RECORD: 4-7 overall, 3-2 in league

COACH: Ted McMillen (4-7 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Mike Cope, RB/LB, 6-0, 201, Sr; Maurice Cureton, RB/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Phillip Jenkins, RB, 5-9, 157, Jr.; Soli Letuli, OL, 6-6, 350, Jr.; Cande Maldonado, RB, 5-11, 186, Jr.; Javier Mora, OL, 6-3, 240 Sr.; Joe Pendegrass, OL/LB, 6-1, 233, Sr.; Tommy Roberts, WR/LB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Josh Scott, OL, 5-9, 232, Sr.; Junior Tau, TE/DL, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Tommy Tuggle, TE/LB, 6-2, 237, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Johnny Niutapuai, OL/DL, 6-0, 296, So.; Daniel Sanchez, LB, 5-10, 219, Sr.; Chris Simon, WR/LB, 6-3, 190, Jr.

OUTLOOK

McMillen did a good job in his first year, taking a small, young team to the playoffs, then losing to Kennedy in the first round, 10-3. McMillen returns 15 starters and if he can find a quality replacement for running back Erik Arthur, who rushed for more than a 1,000 yards and caught 21 passes for 223 yards, the Lions could be in good shape. Cope, a second-team all-league back last year, returns. He will be joined by Cureton, Jenkins and Maldanado. The Lions are fortunate not to have to face Servite and Tustin until the final two games. However, if the Lions suffer some injuries, their lack of depth will be a problem. McMillen’s secondary will be tested in the first game of the season against one of the county’s top quarterbacks, Bolsa Grande’s Doug Baughman. McMillen expects his team to be physical and size won’t be a problem. Westminster has seven players over 230 pounds, including Letuli at 350 and Niutapuai at 296.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Bolsa Grande; 17 vs. Estancia at Newport Harbor HS; 24 vs. Edison at Huntington Beach HS.

Oct. 2 vs. Marina; 9 vs. Corona del Mar; 17 vs. Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium; 23 vs. Saddleback; 29 vs. Ocean View.

Nov. 6 vs. Servite at Cal State Fullerton; 12 at Tustin.