ESPERANZA

1997 RECORD: 9-3 overall, 5-0 in league

COACH: Gary Meek (108-31-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 2 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Bo Ashabraner, TE, 6-7, 240, Sr.; Ryan Clewett, RB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Ryan Clinginsmith, DL, 6-1, 250, Sr.; Ryan Dan, LB, 6-2, 198, Jr.; Mike Harrison, DB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Aaron Hill, WR, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Brandon Lewis, OL, 6-4, 285, Sr.; George Mares, OL, 6-2, 295, Sr.; Ryan Nesselroad, OL, 6-1, 262, Sr.; Travis Pendleton, DT, 6-4, 241, Jr.; Mike Renteria, OL, 6-2, 265, Jr.; Jarrod Schuster, RB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Nate Steinbacher, OL, 6-6, 325, Sr.; Grant Wagner, QB, 6-1, 175, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Mike Baker, DL, 6-2, 230, Jr.; Roland Guttierez, DL, 5-10, 205, Jr.; Benny Masterpoaolo, DB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Andy Morrow, DL, 5-10, 210, Jr.; Matt Parrish, DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Esperanza has won or shared the league championship three straight seasons, and should be right in the thick of things again. The Aztecs’ offense will be potent; back is league MVP Wagner (2,009 yards, 17 TDs), whose 350-yard, two-touchdown performance against Los Alamitos put him among the top county quarterbacks. He has an immense line to protect him and excellent receivers in second-team all-league pick Hill (42 catches, 691 yards, six TDs) and Ashabraner (18 catches, 336 yards, one TD). All-league running backs Brent Garrison (1,186 yards, six TDs) and Jamie Smith (706 yards, 14 TDs) will be missed. Defensively, the Aztecs are green, but the offense should score often enough to give the defense time to learn and solidify.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 10 vs. Servite at Valencia HS; 18 vs. Rancho Alamitos at Bolsa Grande HS; 24 vs. Palos Verdes Peninsula at Valencia HS.

Oct. 2 at Long Beach Jordan; 8 vs. Bloomington at Valencia HS; 16 vs. Los Alamitos at Veterans Stadium; 22 vs. Huntington Beach at Valencia HS; 29 vs. Edison at Huntington Beach HS.

Nov. 5 vs. Marina at Westminster HS; 13 vs. Fountain Valley at Valencia HS.