PREP FOOTBALL ’94 / SUNSET LEAGUE : Esperanza

1993 RECORDS OVERALL: 7-4 LEAGUE: 4-1

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Gary Meek: 72-21-3

RETURNING STARTERS OFF DEF 5 6

TOP RETURNERS OFF DEF YR Bo Bryant, 6-2, 225 -- DL Jr. Kareem Clark, 5-8, 170 -- CB Sr. Dahrin Footman, 5-9, 180 RB -- Sr. Anton Hector, 6-2, 180 WR CB Sr. Chris Jalandoni, 6-1, 210 -- LB Sr. Vinnie Lopez, 6-3, 275 OL -- Sr. Garrick Nichols, 6-2, 245 OL -- Jr. Jason Novotny, 5-10, 190 -- DE Sr. Brent Santoro, 6-1, 265 OL -- Sr. Chris Stretch, 6-0, 175 QB -- Sr. Ryan Wilkins, 6-0, 175 WR -- Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Ryan Bent, 6-1, 241 C -- Jr. Tony Colacion, 6-1, 205 -- ILB Sr. Jake Franko, 6-0, 191 -- ILB Jr. J.B. Guffy, 5-10, 165 RB -- Jr. Chad Harden, 6-1, 230 OG -- Jr. Kostas Hatzidakis, 6-1, 245 OG -- Jr. Pat Swanson, 6-2, 181 -- OLB Jr. Jason Welch, 6-2, 185 WR -- Sr.

OUTLOOK

After a first-round exit from the Division II playoffs last season, a strong core of returners makes the Aztecs a title contender in the tough Sunset League. All-league cornerbacks Clark and Hector return in the secondary and Jalandoni, an all-league linebacker, was the team’s fourth-leading tackler last season. Bryant returns on the defensive line after starting as a sophomore. All-league running back Footman, who rushed for 721 yards, and quarterback Stretch, a part-time starter, will be key offensive players. Lopez, a college prospect at 6 feet 3, 275 pounds, anchors the offensive line.

SCHEDULE

September 8 vs. Indio at Valencia HS; 16 vs. Mater Dei at Valencia HS; 22 vs. Capistrano Valley at Valencia HS; 30 at Santa Maria.

October 7 vs. Long Beach Poly at Long Beach Veterans Stadium; 14 vs. Edison at Westminster HS; 21 vs. Huntington Beach at Valencia HS; 27 vs. Los Alamitos at Cerritos Gahr HS.

November 4 vs. Marina at Westminster HS; 10 vs. Fountain Valley at Valencia HS.