PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE : SADDLEBACK

1998 RECORD: 4-6-1 overall, 3-2 in league

COACH: Jerry Witte (129-129-7 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS:

4 on offense, 2 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Ernie Alvarez, G, 5-7, 217, Sr.; Steven Blunk, DB, 5-7, 156, Sr.; Javier Fuentes, WR/DB, 5-8, 154, Sr.; Israel German, T, 5-11, 231, Sr.; Hector Gonzalez, C/LB, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Joel Gonzalez, RB/LB, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Carl Hernandez, DE/RB, 5-7, 162, Sr.; Victor Ortiz, QB/DB, 5-7, 152, Sr.; Jesse Romeo, WR/DB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Andy Maldonado, DT/OT, 6-0, 278, Sr.; Remi Moreno, TE/DE, 6-1, 215, Jr.; Emmanuel Pedroza, WR, 6-0, 155, Sr.; Alfredo Ramirez, RB/LB, 5-8, 170, Jr.; Ramon Saavedra, QB, 6-0, 150, Jr.; Hugo Vega, TE/DE, 5-10, 175, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Emmett Briggs, WR/DB, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Aaron Courdy, RB/DB, 5-11, 150, So.; Eric Figueroa, OT/DT, 5-9, 220, Jr.; Gerardo Garcia, DT/OT, 5-9, 242, Jr.; Kelly Talavou, C/DL, 6-1, 245, So.

OUTLOOK

Witte believes the Roadrunners have good overall depth, but no proven standouts on either line. “We have a good running back in Gonzalez and experience at quarterback in Ortiz and in our receivers Romeo and Pedroza,” he said. Gonzalez was an all-league running back last season and Witte believes he could be among the county’s best if the Roadrunner offensive front matures quickly.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 10 vs. Costa Mesa at Orange Coast College; 17 vs. Irvine at Santa Ana Stadium; 25 vs. Santa Ana Valley at Santa Ana Stadium.

Oct. 1 vs. Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor HS; 8 vs. University at Irvine HS; 15 vs. Ocean View at Santa Ana Stadium; 22 at Tustin; 29 vs. Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium.

Nov. 5 vs. Westminster at Santa Ana Stadium; 12 vs. Laguna Beach at Santa Ana Stadium.

SCHOOL WEB SITE

https://www.sausd.k12.ca.us:80/schooldistrict /school/high/High535974498/index.html