SANTA ANA
1999 RECORD: 6-5 overall, 2-2 in league
COACH: Jesse Gomez (6-5 in 1 season at school)
RETURNING STARTERS:
6 on offense, 4 on defense
TOP RETURNERS
Angel Montes, OG, 6-3, 250, Sr.; John Takapu, OG/DT 6-3, 360, Sr.; Rickey Berry, OT, 6-5, 340, Sr.; Luis Bustamonte, WR/DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Humbert Valdez, WR/DB, 5-9, 165, Sr., Jose Gonzalez, WR/DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Gus Bravo, TE/DT, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Jose Marquez, FB/LB, 5-9, 215, Sr.; Jesse Ramirez, FB/DE 6-0, 235, SR.; Roger Martinez, QB, 6-2, 185, SR.; Gil Sanchez, QB/WR, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Joe Wall OLB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; David Aguilera C/DT, 6-1, 235, Jr.; Jorge Chavez, C, 6-0, 320, Sr.; Gabe Lambaren, OT/DE, 6-2, 245, Jr.
TOP NEWCOMERS
Richard Mora, DT, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Nathan Cumpian, LB/RB, 6-0, 185, So.; Eric Sanchez, WR/DB, 5-9, 150, So.; Rene Candelas, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, So.; Refugio Lopez, TE/DE, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Bill Leal, DT, 6-1, 215, Sr.
OUTLOOK
There doesn’t appear to be any love lost between the Saints and Tustin, considered the top two teams in the league. Frostee Rucker, Santa Ana’s top running back candidate and the guy who led the team in tackles on defense a year ago, is now at Tustin. “We may start two sophomores,” Gomez said. That might not be such a bad idea, since Santa Ana’s offensive line is expected to be huge, with a couple of tackles who weigh 340 and 360. Every returning lineman started at least five games last season. Gomez has depth at defensive back and wide receiver, but only one proven starter at linebacker.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 8 vs. Sonora at La Habra HS; 14 vs. Dana Hills at Santa Ana Stadium; 22 at Arcadia; 29 vs. Cypress at Santa Ana Stadium.
Oct. 6 vs. Troy at Fullerton HS; 12 vs. Westminster at Santa Ana Stadium; 21 vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium; 27 vs. Tustin at Santa Ana Stadium.
Nov. 3 vs. Ocean View at Westminster HS; 10 vs. Santiago at Santa Ana Stadium.