University (0-0) vs. Irvine (0-0)

7 TONIGHT IRVINE HIGH

Irvine reached the Division VI finals last season and has some talented starters returning, but the nucleus of that championship team is gone. If the Vaqueros are to repeat last season’s success, which included a hard-fought, 17-7 victory over the Trojans, they must prove themselves on the offensive line and at quarterback, two areas of inexperience. Irvine backs Peter Abe, Godfrey Young and David Doomey don’t need a big hole to bust a long gain. University also needs a good performance from an inexperienced offensive line, which is asking a lot against a defense as tough as Irvine’s. But the Trojans will face an Irvine defense that has only one starter over 200 pounds.

KEY PLAYERS

University

TE/DE Kevin Conlin

Sr., 6-3, 200

QB/SS Jay Nichols

Sr., 6-1, 210

K Zach Sherwood

Sr., 6-3, 190

Irvine

DB/WR Eric Patton

Sr., 6-2, 190

DE Brian Porteous

Sr., 6-0, 175

RB Godfrey Young

Jr., 5-11, 173