FOOTHILL

1999 RECORD: 2-8 overall, 2-3 in league

COACH: Doug Case (0-0, first season at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Mike Brittingham, WR, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Eric Eastman, OL, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Derek Fitch, QB, 5-10, 155, Jr.; Robert Gary, RB/DB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Matt Goto, WR/LB, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Kurt Katnik, TE/DE, 6-4, 235, Sr.; Adam Koets, OL/DL, 6-4, 250, Jr.; Josh Oskins, FB/LB, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Mario Rivera, DL, 5-8, 250, Sr.; Jason Seniff, OL, 6-1, 215, Sr.; DeJuan Smith, RB/LB, 5-4, 135, Sr.; Juan Valdez, OL/DL, 6-1, 270, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

David Goto, OL, 5-11, 250, So.; Mike Liti, RB, 5-11, 180, So.; Don Poole, QB, 6-0, 155, So.

OUTLOOK

Case comes over from Rancho Alamitos, where he helped the Vaqueros win three league titles and reach a section final during his seven seasons. Foothill struggled last season, but Case doesn’t want to view this as a rebuilding year. In fact, he has the weapons to contend for a playoff spot and maybe challenge for the league title. The Knights are strong at running back, with part-time starters Gary and Smith returning. Smith averaged 6.6 yards per carry last season. Pushing those two for playing time is Liti, who Case said had a 2,000-yard season to help the Foothill freshmen finish 9-1 last year. “I think it’s fate that I’m here,” said Case, whose best Rancho Alamitos teams had prolific rushing attacks. “The future looks good. It’s a matter of keeping the good kids in the program. If we have some success right away, that would help.” Fitch returns at quarterback, where he began last season as the starter, but sophomore Poole may challenge him. And they have some good targets with Matt Goto and Brittingham leading the receiving corps. On the offensive line, Eastman and Seniff are the returning starters. A quick and physical defense features first-team all-league lineman Rivera. “We have some size, we’re fast and the kids are hungry,” Case said.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 at Tustin; 14 vs. Woodbridge at Tustin HS; 22 vs. Buena Park at Tustin HS; 29 vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo HS.

Oct. 5 vs. La Habra at Tustin HS; 13 vs. Canyon at Tustin HS; 20 vs. Santa Ana Valley at Santa Ana Stadium; 27 vs. Orange at Tustin HS.

Nov. 3 at El Modena; 10 vs. Villa Park at Tustin HS.