PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE : UNIVERSITY

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

COACH: Mark Cunningham (54-82-5 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS:

7 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Masam Aslanpour, OT, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Art Cairo, DT, 6-1, 230, Sr.; Colin Cavannaugh, RB/DB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Jon Chang, OG, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Kevin Conlin, TE, 6-1, 205, Jr.; Mike Dale, FS, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Nathan Davis, OG, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Frankie Gamboa, NG, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Seung Han, CB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Nick Johnston, DE, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Pat Josten, QB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Seth Martindale, OG, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Buddy Molway, LB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Jacque Newsome, RB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Jay Nichols, LB, 6-1, 195, Jr.; Jimmy Owen, LB, 6-3, 225, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Ben Messelbeck, WR, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Deon Thomas, RB, 5-8, 150, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Gamboa finished sixth at the state wrestling finals last season, and Cunningham expects him to be one of the top nose tackles in the county. Owen can bench 385 pounds and his strength and speed will allow him to alternate between offensive tackle and tight end, as well as linebacker. Cunningham considers Cavannaugh his best overall player and will use him at running back and three defensive positions. “I think it’s probably one of the better teams University has had,” Cunningham said.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 at Irvine; 17 vs. El Monte Arroyo at El Monte District Stadium; 24 vs. Woodbridge at Irvine HS.

Oct. 1 vs. Orange at El Modena HS; 8 vs. Saddleback at Irvine HS; 14 vs. Santa Ana at Irvine HS; 22 vs. Costa Mesa at Orange Coast College; 29 at Laguna Beach.

Nov. 5 vs. Corona del Mar at Irvine HS; 11 vs. Estancia at Irvine HS.

SCHOOL WEB SITE

https://www.iusd.k12.ca.us/uhs/