SADDLEBACK VALLEY CHRISTIAN

1999 RECORD: None (0-0)

COACH: Mike Henjum (0-0 at school)

TOP NEWCOMERS

Chris Frey, TE, 5-11, 170, So.; Brian Harbin, RB, 5-9, 160, Fr.; Caleb Hoovestal, FB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Jon Pickett, OT/DE, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Derek Warwick, QB, 6-2, 170, Jr.

OUTLOOK

For any coach heading up a first-year program and trying to play 11-man football, a good sense of humor is necessary. “On a good day I have 20 kids show up for practice,” Henjum said, “but normally it’s less than that. At a school like Mater Dei, if you don’t show up for practice, there is someone waiting to take your place who’s just as good. Here, the kids know they’re going to get to play no matter what.” Another problem: The school’s field isn’t ready, so the team is scrambling to secure fields for home games. The team is obviously plagued by inexperience. “We are having to teach some kids how to run,” said Henjum, a former assistant at Capistrano Valley Christian. However, he feels the team has some talent in the skilled positions and is building for the future. Playing a freelance schedule that includes several junior varsity and frosh-soph teams, Henjum is hoping to give his team some confidence, instead of getting pummeled in every game. However, with only one senior on the team, it is sure to be a long season.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 vs. Los Angeles Daniel Murphy at St. Margaret’s; 16 at La Canada Flintridge Prep (JV); 23 vs. Fairmont at Glover Stadium; 28 at St. Margaret’s (JV).

Oct. 6 at Newport Harbor (Soph.); 13 at San Jacinto Noli Indian; 20 at Sage Hill (frosh-soph); 28 vs. Vista Tri-City Christian, site TBA.

Nov. 4 vs. Riverside Bethel Christian at St. Margaret’s; 9 vs. Sun Valley Village Christian (JV), site TBA.