SAN CLEMENTE

1999 RECORD: 8-4 overall, 4-1 in league

COACH: Eric Patton (8-4 in 1 season at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 9 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Tim Burnette, TE/DL, 6-7, 240, Sr.; Andrew Comeau, OL, 5-11, 270, Sr.; Darin Covey, RB/WR, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Nick Gardner, WR/DB, 6-4, 175, Sr.; Holland Gillum, OL, 6-0, 260, Sr.; Ryan Grant, OL, 5-11, 270, Sr.; Ryan King, DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; J.D. Kolb, DB, 5-7, 165, Sr.; Derek Mushinskie, OT/DT, 6-1, 225, Jr.; Gary Rozanski, OLB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Joe Samperi, OL, 5-10, 280, Jr.; Chris Smith, RB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Jamen Tabesh, OLB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Justin Tomerlin, TE/DE, 6-7, 245, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Beau Budde, QB/WR, 6-0, 170, So.; Bryan Fortin, ILB, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Matt Hayward, OL/DL, 6-1, 220, Jr.; Taylor Kunzi, FB/K, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Bryan Peters, CB/RB, 5-7, 160, Jr.; Derek Scherer, FS/WR, 5-10, 160, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Tritons have enough talent and experience to win their second consecutive league title. But they will sorely miss quarterback Dan Coviello, who is lost for the season with a knee injury suffered in August while riding a motorcycle. That leaves Budde, who played on the freshman team last year, to direct the “fly” offense. The Tritons are also without the school’s career rushing leader, James Allen, who graduated. But there is plenty of talent returning, including Burnette and Tomerlin, both big-time recruits who will play tight end and defensive end. Burnette is considering UCLA and Tennessee, among others, and Tomerlin has committed to Florida State. Smith, a two-year starter and second-team all-league player, will replace Allen, and Kunzi, a transfer from Dana Hills, could start at fullback. The defense has the chance to be among the county’s best. Tomerlin and Burnette will be a nightmare for quarterbacks, and strong safety King, a first-team all-league player, leads a talented secondary. With any luck, the Tritons could get past the quarterfinals.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 at Lake Elsinore; 15 vs. Esperanza; 22 at Aliso Niguel; 28 vs. Long Beach Millikan.

Oct. 6 vs. San Bernardino Pacific; 13 at Capistrano Valley; 20 vs. El Toro at Trabuco Hills HS; 27 vs. Dana Hills.

Nov. 3 vs. Trabuco Hills; 10 at Mission Viejo.