LAGUNA BEACH

1999 RECORD: 3-7 overall, 0-4 in league

COACH: Dave Holland (6-34-1 in 4 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 6 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Anil Adams, DB/WR, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Ryan Arp, OL, 6-1, 220, Jr.; Will Blodgett, WR, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Rob Caron, RB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Leo Chen, DB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Jesse Doker, TE/LB, 6-2, 195, Jr.; Joe Gomez, OL, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Sky Hensel, OL/DL, 6-1, 260, So.; Evan Jerunica, DB, 5-11, 170, Jr.,; Scott Labeda, DB/WR, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Aaron Lipsey, OL, 6-1, 300, Sr.; Brian Mahatt, RB/DB, 5-7, 145, Jr.; Dave McKenzie, RB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Nick Radich, DL, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Wyatt Strateman, QB/DB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Tyler Woodhouse, WR, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Dan Woods, DL/RB, 6-1, 185, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Jason Boyd, RB/DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Clayton Caron, OL, 6-1, 220, So.; Matt Daely, WR/DB, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Jeff Ferguson, QB, 6-0, 175, So.; Bryce Loidolt, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, So.; Todd Merz, QB/DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Marshall Paymard, TE/LB, 6-0, 175, So.; Isiah Powell, DB, 6-2, 170, So.; Alberto Sanchez, OL/LB, 5-10, 185, So.

OUTLOOK

Laguna Beach got a taste of success last season when it won its first three games, but then lost its next seven. An improved passing game could help, plus a better secondary, though the PCL is mostly a running league. Merz, a transfer from La Canada St. Francis, is the central figure in that passing game. He is among four players Holland described as potential game breakers, including Blodgett, Boyd and Daely. That gives the team about twice as many as last season. The Artists should be at least as good, if not better, than the 1999 team, which had losses of six, two, six and nine points to close out the season. But they will continue to be thin on the offensive line, where they also are greatly inexperienced. Without depth, there could be real problems if there’s an injury. “If everyone on the squad can play and not get hurt, we’ll be OK,” Holland said. “Maybe we’ll not be up to what everyone else is, but I think we’ll play good football.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 vs. La Quinta; 16 vs. Calvary Chapel at Westminster HS; 22 vs. Capistrano Valley Christian; 30 vs. La Jolla The Bishop’s School at La Jolla HS.

Oct. 5 vs. Santa Ana Valley at Santa Ana Stadium; 14 vs. University at Irvine HS; 20 vs. Costa Mesa at Orange Coast; 27 vs. Corona del Mar.

Nov. 2 vs. Northwood at Trabuco Hills HS; 10 vs. Estancia.