BREA OLINDA

1997 RECORD: 11-2 overall, 5-0 in league

COACH: Jon Looney (65-42-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Ron Benigno, WR/FS, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Deonta Birdsong, CB/WR, 5-11, 175, Sr; Travis Blood, QB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Scott Leing, RB/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Chris Shoemaker, LB, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Matt Winkler, TE, 6-1, 190, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Justin Dixon, LB, 6-1, 205, Jr.; Eric Porter, OL/DL, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Dustin Sweeter, FB, 5-11, 210, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Most of the players who handled the ball are back for Brea Olinda this season, but finding bodies to block for them will be a challenge for Looney. On defense, the Wildcats have a strong secondary returning, but will also be green up front. Blood was a second-team all-league pick last season and has a real knack for using his feet to get out of jams. Blood also showed he can throw the ball, passing for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns last season. “He has the potential to turn a poor play into something positive,” Looney said. Leing is a three-year starter at cornerback and running back and has rushed for more than 1,000 yards the last two seasons. Winkler also made the league’s second team a year ago and will keep opposing defenses honest over the middle. Birdsong had three interceptions last season and is equally valuable as a punt returner. He ran two punt returns back for touchdowns and had three others called back on penalties last season. Birdsong didn’t call for a fair catch once and averaged between 15 and 20 yards per return. Benigno had some big receptions last season and is willing to catch the ball in traffic. Shoemaker is a versatile defensive player who can play linebacker or down lineman if needed. Porter started about half of the games last season and is the only offensive lineman with playing experience.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 at Buena Park; 18 vs. Canyon; 25 vs. Sunny Hills at Buena Park HS.

Oct. 2 vs. Katella; 9 vs. El Dorado at Valencia HS; 16 at Valencia; 23 vs. Western; 30 vs. Anaheim.

Nov. 6 vs. Magnolia at Glover Stadium; 13 vs. Savanna.