PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE : LA QUINTA

1998 RECORD: 8-3 overall, 4-2 in league

COACH: Guy Gardner (0-0 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS:

3 on offense, 2 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Jason Covington, OL/DL, 5-9, 225, Sr.; Giai Do, TE/LB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Eliajah German, RB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Eric Lim, RB/LB, 5-8, 185, Jr.; Ramiro Lopez, OL/DL, 5-9, 220, Sr.; Toan Ly, WR/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr., Mike Schwartz, OL/DL, 5-9, 220, Sr.; Roger Tran, OL/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Mike Gomez, RB/LB, 5-11, 185, So.; Vu Ho, QB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Arthur Lim, OL-DL, 5-9, 270, Sr.; Rene Sanchez, QB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.

OUTLOOK

La Quinta was the county’s biggest surprise last year, but don’t expect two such seasons in a row. Coach Jeff Veeder left for Capistrano Valley and he didn’t leave Gardner much. Every key player from last year’s dream season graduated. The quarterback job is between Sanchez, who hasn’t played in three years, and Ho, who has never played organized football. “There’s a lot of teaching going on,” Gardner said. “But I like the enthusiasm.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 vs. Laguna Beach at Bolsa Grande HS; 17 at Alhambra Mark Keppel; 24 at Norwalk Glenn.

Oct. 1 vs. Garden Grove at Bolsa Grande HS; 8 vs. Santiago at Garden Grove HS; 15 at Bolsa Grande; 22 vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS; 28 vs. Costa Mesa at Orange Coast College.

Nov. 5 vs. Los Amigos at Bolsa Grande HS; 12 vs. Rancho Alamitos at Bolsa Grande HS.