SADDLEBACK

1996 RECORD: 7-4 overall, 3-2 in league

COACH: Jerry Witte (121-117-6 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Derrick Barnes, 6-2, 165, Sr.; Daniel Bermudez, QB/DB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Josh Blunk, DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Fernando Cervantes, TE, 6-4, 220, Sr.; Jeff Frivas, DB, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Hugo Gonzalez, DB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; David Pedroza, FB/LB, 5-11, 00, Sr.; Sal Pedroza, QB/DB, 5-10, 150, Jr.; Jimmy Phan, G, 5-11, 180, Jr.; John Rincon, DT, 6-1, 330, Sr.; Augustine Rodriguez, 5-7, 220, Jr.; Joseph Tagaloa, RB/DB, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Santana Ung, WR, 5-9, 145, Sr.; Pedro Velazquez, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Chad Watts, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Jonathan Zaprien, LB, 5-9, 200, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Gordon Christian, T/T, 5-10, 230, Jr.; Luis Gonzalez, RB/DB, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Victor Gonzalez, TE/DE, 6-1, 190, Jr.; Danny Morales, T/T, 5-11, 240, Sr.; Victor Nava, DB 5-8, 160, Jr.; Rene Orejel, T/T, 5-9, 220, Sr.; Eric Valle, T/DE, 5-10, 185, Sr.

OUTLOOK

This isn’t a team to be overlooked. There is experience at running back. Tagaloa was an all-league, first-team choice last year who gained 872 yards, averaged 7.1 yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns. He’ll also start in the secondary, where Witte says he is looking at several candidates to start alongside him. Witte has to shore up the defensive line, where only Rincon returns. The offensive line is a bit thin, with only two returning starters in Phan, at guard, and Pedro Velasquez, who has been moved from center to guard. Bermudez is expected to be the quarterback, with Pedroza also available. Barnes is an experienced wide receiver and Cervantes makes a big target at tight end.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Costa Mesa at Orange Coast College; 19 vs. Lynwood at Santa Ana Stadium; 25 vs. Santa Ana Valley at Santa Ana Stadium.

Oct. 3 vs. Corona del Mar at Orange Coast College; 10 vs. University at Irvine HS; 17 vs. Ocean View at Huntington Beach HS; 24 vs. Tustin at Santa Ana Stadium.

Nov. 1 vs. Servite at Santa Ana Stadium; 8 vs. Westminster at Santa Ana Stadium; 14 vs. Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium.