LOARA

1999 RECORD: 10-3 overall, 5-0 in league

COACH: John deFries (58-53-2 in 10 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 6 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Rudy Acosta, WR/DB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Billy Chavez, RB/DB, 5-11, 163, Sr.; Ryan Gusman, DB/QB, 5-11, 167, Sr.; Minh Nguyen, FB/LB, 5-11, 191, Sr.; George Risberg, FB/DL, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Joey Diersing, OL, 6-2, 235, Sr.; Steven Douglas, DE/FB/TE, 6-1, 212, Sr.; Ivan Molina, OL, 6-6, 285, Sr.; Alex Khojikian, OL, 6-4, 294, Sr.; Omar Trujillo, DE, 5-10, 171, Jr.; Eddie Ochoa, LB, 5-7, 167, Sr.; Robert Haro, DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Nick Finch, DE, 5-10, 168, Sr.; Bryan Sather, WR, 6-3, 188, Sr.; Jeff Martin, WR/DB, 5-10, 168, Sr.; Mike Guerrero, OL, 6-1, 211, Sr.; Tony Robledo, WR/DB, 5-10, 168, Sr.; Jarred Ellison, OL, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Greg Hoshaw, TE, 6-2, 188, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Jonathan Diulio, QB/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Jason Brillantes, RB, 5-7, 145, Jr.; Blade Holman, OL, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Devon MacLennan, OL, 6-4, 278, Jr.; Joel Martinez, FB/LB, 6-0, 215, Jr.; Enrique Valdez, DL, 6-2, 265, Sr.; Sam Wercks, RB/DB, 6-0, 165, Jr.; Kevin Skinner, OL, 6-0, 225, Jr.; Nigel Holton, OL, 6-1, 253, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Acosta, an all-county first-team selection who shared the county lead with 11 interceptions, returns to lead a defense that will be “small, but quick,” according to deFries. Linebacker Nguyen, who led the team with 79 tackles last season, is also a defensive stalwart. A total of 22 lettermen return, and deFries likes his team’s chances, although he wishes he had a few more offensive linemen. Khojikian is a huge starting offensive tackle, Molina returns to offensive guard and Diersing is back as center. Running back Chavez rushed for 1,518 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 408 yards last season. Speedy Douglas, who led the Saxons with 13 sacks in 1999, returns as a defensive end.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 vs. Western at Glover Stadium; 15 vs. Mater Dei at Glover Stadium; 21 at El Modena; 29 vs. Villa Park at El Modena HS.

Oct. 7 at Irvine; 13 vs. Cypress at Glover Stadium; 20 vs. El Dorado at Valencia HS; 26 vs. Century at Glover Stadium.

Nov. 3 vs. Katella at Glover Stadium; 9 vs. Kennedy at Glover Stadium.