EL MODENA

1999 RECORD: 1-9 overall, 1-4 in league

COACH: Jason Hitchens (5-14-1 in 2 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Chris Bair, OT/DE, 6-3, 225, Jr.; Kevin Brown, QB/DB, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Danny Butler, C, 5-8, 240, Sr.; Todd Clements, TE/DE, 6-3, 205, Jr.; Brian Fischbeck, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Adam Lancisero, RB/DB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Waymon Livingston, RB/DB, 5-7, 165, Jr.; Kevin Lukes, G/NG, 6-1, 250, Jr.; Jon Maslen, LB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Jeff Rowe, OT/DT, 6-4, 290, Sr.; Matt Spoonemore, TE/DE, 6-0, 210, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Michael Angel, OL, 5-8, 220, So.; Jarod Bauer, QB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Kyle Bourne, OL/DL, 6-1, 220, So.; Daniel Dixon, DB, 5-8, 165, So.; Duane McCabe, FS/WR, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Joe Mitchell, LB, 6-0, 195, So.; Michael Pitre, FB/DB, 6-1, 210, So.; Armando Ruiz, RB, 5-10, 160, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Hitchens is quietly optimistic about the Vanguards, who are shooting for their first league title since 1992. “I think we’re a year away,” Hitchens said. “We were forced last year to play a lot of inexperienced, young kids a year before they would normally play. Obviously, we took some lumps, but we come back this year with some young, experienced players who are a year ahead of where they normally would be.” Lancisero, a three-year starter, is one of the league’s best linebackers who also will play running back. Brown returns at quarterback, but he will be pushed by Bauer, a transfer who started some at Canyon last season. McCabe, a pole vaulter who concentrated on track last season, returns to the team and should start in the secondary. Lukes and Rowe, a 6-4, 290-pound tackle who is a Division I prospect, lead the Vanguard offensive line. Defensive ends Spoonemore and Clements lead the defensive line and Fischbeck, an all-league defensive back, leads the secondary. Mitchell, the younger brother of former Mater Dei and current Oregon player Kevin Mitchell, and Pitre, the MVP of the freshman team that went 9-1 last year, should make an impact at linebacker.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 vs. Garden Grove; 15 vs. Sunny Hills at Buena Park HS; 21 vs. Loara; 29 vs. El Dorado at Valencia HS.

Oct. 5 vs. Fullerton; 13 vs. Villa Park; 20 vs. Canyon; 27 vs. Santa Ana Valley.

Nov. 2 vs. Foothill; 9 vs. Orange.