LIBERTY CHRISTIAN

1997 RECORD: 3-6 overall, 1-4 in league

COACH: Guy Wilson (3-6 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 6 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Jason Gardner, WR/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; C.J. Leemon, QB, 6-2, 165, Sr.; Nick Mendoza, FB/DE, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Mike Osegueda, TE/DE, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Dante Salazar, RB/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; J.J. Salazar, C/DL, 5-10, 280, Jr.; Chas Trowbridge, LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Dan Kilker, OL, 6-1, 250, Sr.; Mike Spagnola, RB/LB, 5-7, 180, So.; Paul Spagnola, DB/WR, 5-6, 130, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Liberty Christian should benefit from a large senior class that is expected to provide strong leadership and a wealth of experience. The Minutemen are much bigger and faster than last season’s bunch, which finished fifth out of six teams in the Express League. One area that has Wilson concerned is the kicking game, which tends to play a big role in eight-man football. Liberty Christian returns two all-league players and inherits another. Gardner and Trowbridge were picked to the first team, and Mike Spagnola was an all-leaguer at Gateway Christian a year ago. Mike Spagnola’s older brother, Paul, also made the move to Liberty Christian.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 at L.A. Lutheran; 18 at Joshua Stream Christian; 26 vs. Wildomar California Lutheran.

Oct. 3 at L.A. Price; 10 vs. Redlands Calvary Chapel; 17 at Murrieta Calvary Chapel; 24 vs. L.A. Pacific Christian; 31 vs. Harbor City Gateway Christian.

Nov. 7 at Santa Monica Lighthouse Church.