PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : FREEWAY LEAGUE : TROY

1998 RECORD: 5-5 overall, 2-3 in league

COACH: John Turek (115-101-8 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 8 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Mark Ahlberg, TE, 6-6, 240, Sr.; Ryan Berger, OL, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Kirt Brooks, DE, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Chris Cassidy, OL, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Steve Harris, DB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Ray Mike, DL, 6-2, 265, Sr.; Evan Morris, OL, 6-3, 250, Sr.; Brett Murray, RB/LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Jordan Oliver, QB, 5-9, 170, Jr.; Frank Partida, LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Jon Sawyer, OL, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Brandon Shelby, DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Brett Stubbe, DL, 6-2, 220, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Paul Evenson, WB, 5-10, 220, Jr.; Tom Osborn, RB, 5-8, 150, Jr.; Ryan Welch, WR, 5-10, 165, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Warriors should have been better than a .500 team and a fourth-place finisher last year. At least they looked better on paper. On the field, however, the Warriors could never win more than two games in a row, which they did twice. But a “bad” loss to La Habra was the main reason Troy missed the playoffs. This season things are looking up. Oliver (814 yards, 49.1% completion rate) has a big possession receiver in Ahlberg (14 catches, 266 yards) and, with a year’s varsity experience under his belt, should throw more touchdown passes (seven) than interceptions (10). Murray (838 yards, five touchdowns) and Harris (429 yards) can handle the running chores. Let the Warriors have some early success, and they may grasp the momentum that eluded them in 1998.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 10 vs. Katella at Glover Stadium; 17 vs. Orange Lutheran at Fullerton HS; 24 vs. Whittier La Serna at Fullerton HS.

Oct. 1 vs. Canyon at Fullerton HS; 8 vs. Ocean View at Fullerton HS; 15 vs. Sunny Hills at Buena Park HS; 22 at La Habra; 29 vs. Sonora at La Habra HS.

Nov. 5 vs. Buena Park at Fullerton HS; 12 at Fullerton.