ALISO NIGUEL

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

COACH: Joe Wood (30-17-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Ryan Alvarez, OL/LB, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Dean Brewer, LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Ethan Brooks, OL, 6-3, 265, Jr.; Marc Byers, LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Ryan Elewant, DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Dean Gerasimou, DL, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Josh Graniello, OL, 6-0, 260, Sr.; Rich Hada, DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Tim Hefty, DL, 6-3, 190, Jr.; Jared Hill, QB, 6-2, 180, Jr.; Josh Ivy, DB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Jason Moore, WR, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Iman Nikzad, RB, 5-8, 165, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Nick Assad, WR, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Andrew Bishop, TE, 6-4, 200, Sr.; J.R. Parks, RB, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Jonathan Warren, LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Aliso Niguel is a long way from returning to the caliber it was two years ago, when it won the Southern Section Division VIII championship with a 32-21 victory over Costa Mesa. But the Wolverines should field a team that’s much better than last season, mostly because of the experience that remains at the quarterback position and in the defensive backfield. Hill has taken plenty of snaps, earning second-team all-league honors after throwing for 681 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore. The Wolverines also return half of their offensive line, led by Alvarez, another second-team all-league selection. Moore should be Hill’s favorite target after catching four touchdown passes last season, and sophomore Devin Sutton is expected join Nikzad in the backfield. On defense, Aliso Niguel will have one of the strongest secondaries in its league. Hada was a first-team all-league pick last season and Elewant and Ivy also return to their starting roles. The Wolverines will have 18 underclassmen in the starting lineup, a main weakness according to Wood.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 at Capistrano Valley; 18 vs. Mission Viejo; 25 at San Clemente.

Oct. 2 vs. Trabuco Hills; 9 vs. Orange at El Modena HS; 16 vs. Laguna Beach; 23 vs. Estancia at Newport Harbor HS; 30 vs. University at Irvine HS.

Nov. 5 vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo HS; 13 vs. Costa Mesa.