LOS ALAMITOS

1999 RECORD: 11-2 overall, 4-1 in league

COACH: John Barnes (187-57-6 in 21 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Mike Patterson, DT, 6-1, 275, Sr.; Ian Reynoso, OT, 6-4, 290, Sr.; Shay Murphy, LB, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Joe Garcia, DB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Brian Sandi, DE, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Steve Shinen, DB/WR, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Tony Holder, WR, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Brandon Tripp, WR, 6-2, 185, So.; Adam Nauta, RB, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Pat Fergurson, OT, 6-2, 265, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Kevin Gamarnik, K, 5-10, 145, So.; Jeff Kline, QB/DB, 6-1, 175, So.; Matt Darsam, C, 6-3, 275, Sr.; Greg Moore, OL, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Mike Catalano, QB, 6-0, 183, Sr.; Tim Bessolo, QB, 6-3, 210, Jr.; Bob Crissman, DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.

OUTLOOK

The two-time defending league champion Griffins will be pressed to “three-peat” in 2000, though they have enough talent to get the job done. The key to the Griffins’ season may be the emergence of a dependable quarterback. Catalano, Bessolo and Kline--newcomers all--will battle for the starting nod. Nauta will provide veteran leadership at running back, where Garcia and sophomore Gabe Doby also are expected to see playing time. Shinen and Holder give Los Alamitos a strong presence at wide receiver and should make the new quarterback’s job a little less stressful. Gamarnik and Nick Kormelos are vying to replace kicker Chris Kluwe, who last year connected on a clutch 60-yard field goal in a playoff game. Defensively, the Griffins will look to Sandi and Patterson to lead the way. Murphy will anchor the linebacking corps, and Shinen and Garcia are the stars of the secondary. Barnes said he expects his defense to be incredibly fast. Like Edison, Los Alamitos has a killer nonleague schedule, which includes games against Santa Margarita and Kennedy. “This isn’t our best team ever,” Barnes said, “but sometimes our average teams turn out pretty good.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 vs. Los Angeles Washington at Long Beach Veterans Stadium; 15 vs. Santa Margarita at Cal State Fullerton; 21 vs. Lawndale Leuzinger at Veterans Stadium; 28 at Bellflower St. John Bosco.

Oct. 5 vs. Kennedy at Western HS; 12 vs. Marina at Veterans Stadium; 19 vs. Edison at Veterans Stadium; 26 vs. Fountain Valley at Orange Coast College.

Nov. 3 vs. Esperanza at Valencia HS; 9 vs. Huntington Beach at Veterans Stadium.