SANTA ANA

1997 RECORD: 0-10 overall, 0-5 in league

COACH: Mark Miller (0-20 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Ed Astudillo, DL, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Alfonso Cedillo, T, 6-0, 260, Sr; Larry Elizade, TE/LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Reynaldo Flores, RB, 5-6, 150, Jr.; Aldo Garcia, DL, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Armando Hernandez, TE/LB, 5-8, 200, Sr.; Lee Lopez, QB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Velo Lualemaga, TE/LB, 6-2, 175, Sr. Fulgenci Portillo, G/T, 5-10, 280, Sr.; Albert Saldana, TE/E, 5-11, 170, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Hector Candelas, QB/K, 6-3, 192, Sr; Tony Jones, RB/LB, 6-1, 210, Jr.; Harold Price, S, 6-0, 148, Sr.

OUTLOOK

There is nowhere to go but up. Last year Miller said it would take two years to jump-start the program and this season he expects his team to win some games and possibly earn a playoff berth. Those may be high expectations though; there are questions whether the team’s co-MVPs from last season will be able to return. Miller says he has strong competition at running back, including Jones. “He will be the best back in the county,” Miller said. Jones, from the Pomona area, didn’t play football last year, but Miller said he’s been playing well in practice. Candelas, a forward on the Saints’ top-ranked soccer team, returns to football after taking his junior season off. “[Candelas’] leg is unbelievable,” Miller said. “He put a kickoff through the goal posts and it wasn’t an accident. That is 70 yards.” And Candelas will also battle Lopez for the quarterback spot. Lopez, a junior, shared time at quarterback last season, completing 33 of 97 passes for 627 yards, four touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. Sonora at La Habra HS; 18 vs. Santiago at Santa Ana Stadium; 26 at Bolsa Grande.

Oct. 2 vs. Woodbridge at Santa Ana Stadium; 10 vs. Cypress at Western HS; 17 vs. Westminster at Santa Ana Stadium; 23 vs. Tustin at Santa Ana Stadium; 30 vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium.

Nov. 6 vs. Ocean View at Westminster HS; 13 vs. Servite at Santa Ana Stadium.