CAPISTRANO VALLEY

1997 RECORD: 2-6-2 overall, 0-5 in league

COACH: Dave Brown (19-13-2 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 on offense, 3 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Chris Culbertson, WR/FS, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Chris Cummings, P, 5-10, 180, Sr. Jeff Dixon, QB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Amin Ghanavatsadeh, OT, 6-3, 240, Sr.; Garrett Gray, QB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Tory Illig, CB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Jarrod Metchnikoff, TE, 6-6, 225, Sr.; Jermaine McKinney, RB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Ryan Richards, WR, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Adam Staffon, LB, 6-1, 225, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Dan Chapman, TB, 5-9, 170, Jr.; Jason Chatham, OG, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Donny Davis, OG, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Matt Fribourg, FB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Aaron Lowe, WR, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Johan Moetamedi, OT, 6-4, 300, Jr.; Ronnie Muscarella, NT, 5-10, 225, Jr.; Derrick Stephan, OLB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Scott Stephan, RB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Darren White, DB, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Dave Williams, DT, 6-0, 220, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Two losses in the middle of last season to Bakersfield and Mater Dei sent Capistrano Valley into a free fall, and the Cougars went winless in league and missed the playoffs. “We had some injuries and we lost some confidence,” Brown said. “In football, 50% of it is attitude and having confidence in yourself and your team. This season, we have a real cohesive group.” That’s a big reason why Brown feels confident that Capistrano Valley will challenge the other four teams for second in league behind Mater Dei. Dixon returns at quarterback after completing 54% of his passes for 1,153 yards and seven touchdowns with only four interceptions. McKinney rushed for 541 yards and scored four touchdowns last season and leads the running game behind an offensive line anchored by Chatham, Ghanavatsadeh and Moetamedi. One of the team’s top tacklers, Illig, returns in the secondary and Muscarella will make an impact on the defensive line.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. Aliso Niguel; 18 vs. Edison at Huntington Beach HS; 25 vs. Foothill.

Oct. 2 vs. Tustin; 9 at Littlerock; 15 at Mission Viejo; 23 vs. Mater Dei; 30 vs. Dana Hills.

Nov. 6 at Trabuco Hills; 13 vs. San Clemente.