PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : SERRA LEAGUE : ST. JOHN BOSCO

1998 RECORD: 4-6 overall, 0-3 in league

COACH: Kiki Mendoza (4-6 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS:

4 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Jonathan Hanania, RB, 5-6, 165, Sr.; Norvell Holmes, OL/DL, 6-3, 280, Sr.; Paul Mociler, OL, 6-6, 300, Sr.; Russell Okutsu, DE, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Brent Perez, OL/DL, 6-3, 240, Sr.; Josh Pukini, TE/DL, 6-3, 235, Jr.; Andre Ramirez, RB/DB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Danny Salas, DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Eddie Torres, DB, 5-7, 141, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Marcus Cassell, WR, 6-0, 167, Jr.; Blake Garrett, LB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Damond Goins, RB/LB, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Brandon Lynn, WR, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Jacob Mathews, RB, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Gabriel Trevino, QB, 6-3, 165, Jr.; Mac Warren, WR, 6-3, 190, So.

OUTLOOK

Few Orange County football fans know much about the Braves, who will be considered the Serra League’s weak sister because of the perceived strength of the other three teams, and because they went winless in Del Rey League play last year. But even this weak sister has muscle, especially on the offensive line. Mociler, a preseason SuperPrep All-American, has major college recruiters drooling over his size and athleticism. “He’ll be a starter as a freshman,” predicts one recruiter. Holmes, like Mociler a two-time all-league pick, is also strong and quick. The question is, who they will block for and protect. Mendoza lost all of his starting skill players to graduation and, by his own admission, “We will start some players who have never played high school football.” Trevino gets the first opportunity at quarterback. Mendoza will wait until the first game to determine the starting running backs and receivers. The defense, featuring Okutsu, Perez and Salas, is bigger and faster than last season’s unit. It will have to keep the scores close until the offense can find its rhythm. Mendoza said the road to the league championship “goes through Mater Dei. But I think the other three teams are even. If we can come into the final league game with Mater Dei unbeaten, I’ll know we have what it takes to win. If we struggle late in the year, we become the spoiler.” With a schedule that includes meetings with L.A. Loyola and Los Alamitos, St. John Bosco faces a challenging season.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 3 at Las Vegas El Dorado; 10 vs. Lakewood Mayfair; 24 vs. Lakewood Artesia.

Oct. 1 vs. Los Alamitos at Long Beach Veterans Stadium; 8 at Paramount; 15 vs. L.A. Loyola at Glendale HS; 22 vs. Santa Fe Springs St. Paul; 29 vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College.

Nov. 5 vs. Servite at Cal State Fullerton; 12 vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium.

SCHOOL WEB SITE

www.bosco.org