SAVANNA

1997 RECORD: 7-4 overall, 4-1 in league

COACH: Fred Di Palma (62-36-4 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Jason Brown, RB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Ruben Chavez, OL/LB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Robin Dano, QB, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Ryan Del Rosario, FS/WR, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Keith McNeal, OL/LB, 5-11, 200, Jr.; Jeff Plant, OL/DL, 6-1, 235, Jr.; Lou Sutter, OL/DL, 6-2, 235, Jr.; Efrain Torres, CB/WR, 5-9, 155, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Josh Cunningham, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Chris Hutton, RB/DB, 5-8, 150, Jr.; Tom Sutter, RB/DB, 5-10, 165, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Di Palma expects Savanna to be in the thick of things again down the stretch. Several players have blossomed during the off-season, including Dano, who has gained more than 20 pounds and shown considerable growth in his maturity. Dano should improve on his stats from last season, when he threw for 481 yards and five touchdowns, but completed fewer than half of his passes and had six interceptions. Brown returns in the backfield, where he rushed for 657 yards in 88 carries, and is another in a long line of small, quick running backs who have played for Savanna. The Rebels return four starters on the offensive line, but the only senior is Chavez, a three-year starter at right guard. Lou Sutter and McNeal both started as sophomores at tackle, and Plant is another returning lineman who could also start on the defensive line. Del Rosario didn’t start until the fourth game last season, but still managed to have five interceptions over the final eight games. Torres is another player who has improved his strength significantly. Hutton, Cunningham and Tom Sutter will battle for playing time alongside Brown in the backfield.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. Kennedy at Western HS; 18 vs. Sonora at La Habra HS; 25 vs. Canyon at Glover Stadium.

Oct. 1 vs. Buena Park at Glover Stadium; 9 vs. Villa Park at Western HS; 15 at Western; 23 vs. Magnolia at Western HS; 30 at Valencia.

Nov. 5 vs. Anaheim at Glover Stadium; 11 at Brea Olinda.