CENTURY

1996 RECORD: 1-9 overall, 0-5 in league

COACH: Bill Brown (30-40-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 7 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Ramiro Carasa, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Jaime Chavez, WR/DB, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Ricky Lopez, WR/DB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Aaron Majares, TE/DL, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Alex Marin, OL/DL, 5-10, 230, Sr.; Jose Mendoza, QB/LB, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Greg Orozco, OL/LB, 5-11, 200, Jr.; Cesar Ramirez, TE/DL, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Jose Rivas, OL/DL, 5-8, 195, Sr.; Floyd Watson, TE/DL, 6-2, 215, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

David Byassee, OL/DL, 5-8, 165, Jr.; Danny Chavez, OL/DL, 5-11, 200, Jr.; Eliu Fatu, RB/LB, 6-2, 195, So.; Joel Valdez, QB, 6-0, 180, So.

OUTLOOK

Any chance Century had for a decent season last year was wiped out in two games. In the season opener, Brown lost five two-way starters, and in the second, he lost two more starters. This season also has the potential to be a good one, even though the Centurions still look a year away from reaching their full potential. “We’ll make mistakes on offense because we’re still young,” Brown said. “But this is the quickest, toughest group of players I’ve had in a long time. We could surprise people.” Carasa (466 yards, three touchdowns) will have to provide the leadership, because Brown is giving the quarterback job to the untested Valdez. The defense has quickness and experience but must stay healthy. In fact the team has to stay healthy. “We don’t have great depth,” Brown said. “I’ve got 18-20 kids who can really play, and others who are still learning.” If they do, and the Centurions get some breaks that are not in arms and legs, the Empire League becomes an even more interesting aggregate.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. Estancia at Newport Harbor HS; 18 vs. Norwalk Glenn at Santa Ana Stadium; 27 vs. Ocean View at Santa Ana Stadium.

Oct. 3 vs. Santa Ana Valley at Santa Ana Stadium; 11 vs. Mission Viejo at Santa Ana Stadium; 17 vs. Loara at Santa Ana Stadium; 24 vs. El Dorado at Valencia HS; 31 vs. Cypress at Santa Ana Stadium.

Nov. 7 vs. Katella at Tustin HS; 14 vs. Kennedy at Western HS.