MATER DEI

1999 RECORD: 11-2-1 overall, 3-0 in league

COACH: Bruce Rollinson (123-21-2 in 11 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS:

5 on offense, 6 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Matt Leinart, QB, 6-5, 220, Sr.; Ian Gunderman, LB, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Brown Faavae, DB/WR, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Trevor Hovarter, DL, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Bryan New, K, 5-8, 165, Sr.; Steve Armstrong, DL, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Jeff Diulio, WR, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Steve Carrillo, OL, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Camron Carmona, DB/RB, 5-8, 165, Jr.; Darius Williams, RB/DB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Matt Hopkins, TE, 6-4, 190, Sr.; Bobby Fernandez, DL, 6-3, 240, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Billy Ewing, DB/RB, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Grant Melton, FB/LB, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Angel Guiterrez, DB/RB, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Keith Greer, TE, 6-3, 230, Jr.; Vince Ortiz, OL, 6-2, 270, Jr.; Bryan Henley, DL, 6-1, 265, Jr.; Liam Fallace, LB, 5-11, 205, Jr.; Nathan Coash, DB/WR, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Julian Petit, WR, 6-1, 190, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Life without Matt Grootegoed should be just fine for Mater Dei. The Monarchs are once again loaded with talented players such as Leinart, whom SuperPrep magazine ranked its seventh-best quarterback prospect in the nation. Williams, who caused the fumble that turned the tide in the Monarchs’ favor during last year’s Southern Section championship game, will replace Grootegoed at tailback and safety. Diulio, the Monarchs’ leading receiver in 1999, is back. Only one starter returns on the offensive line, but every lineman weighs at least 275 pounds and should be able to atone for mistakes with sheer size and strength. While Williams is the starting tailback, Carmona, Guiterrez, Ewing and New should also get a fair share of playing time at the position. Rollinson will rotate his tailbacks and fullbacks, at least early in the season, to make sure he’s not overlooking anyone. Mater Dei’s defense, in a word, is speedy. Gunderman, a top-notch linebacker, will anchor the unit along with Faavae, a three-year starter who can play both safety positions. The interior line remains intact from a year ago with Armstrong, Fernandez and Hovarter, who has recovered from knee surgery. The secondary, though, is young. Coash, for instance, has never played a varsity down but could emerge as a starter. Rollinson said the 2000 Monarchs have a personality resembling his 1991 team that won the section title. “This group is extremely, extremely nasty,” he said. “They like to get after it. I call it a Bruce Rollinson group.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 vs. Fallbrook at Santa Ana Stadium; 15 vs. Loara at Glover Stadium; 23 vs. Concord De La Salle at Edison Field; 29 vs. Edison at Orange Coast College.

Oct. 6 vs. Wilmington Banning at Gardena HS; 13 vs. Santa Fe Springs St. Paul at Santa Ana Stadium; 21 vs. Los Angeles Loyola at Glendale HS; 28 vs. Servite at Cal State Fullerton.

Nov. 3 vs. Santa Margarita at Cal State Fullerton; 10 vs. Bellflower St. John Bosco at Edison Field.