BREA OLINDA

1996 RECORD: 4-6 overall, 2-3 in league

COACH: Jon Looney (54-40-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Eric Albrecht, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Tommy Blaylock, OL/DL, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Nate Criner, OL/DL, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Aaron Ison, OL/DL, 6-2, 225, Sr.; Scott Leing, RB/LB, 5-9, 170, Jr.; Gene Rose, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Fred Thomas, OL/DL, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Rosuli Webster, WR/DB, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Steve Willmer, DB/WR, 6-2, 175, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Dante Birdsong, QB/DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Travis Blood, QB/DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Tom Pierce, RB/LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Looney is already convinced that this is the most talented team in his 10 years at Brea Olinda. He knew he had a strong corps of three-year starters coming back in Thomas, Albrecht, Criner, Webster and Ison but a couple of new faces have made the difference. Birdsong, who transferred from Long Beach Poly, has been sensational in the defensive backfield, and Pierce, who didn’t play last season, is “better than I thought he was,” Looney said. Looney has three players in the backfield, Albrecht, Pierce and Leing, that are as good as any he has had at Brea. “Maybe I’ve had a kid here or there that was this good, but never have I had three,” Looney said. It will be no surprise then to see the Wildcats running the ball often, especially since the quarterback job is still up for grabs among four inexperienced players. Brea Olinda’s success has been building at the lower levels as the freshman teams at the school have lost only three games in the last three seasons. Looney is also impressed with the team’s attitude and leadership. Looney’s offensive coordinator, George Dena, was the offensive coordinator on Claire Van Hoorebeke’s staff at Anaheim High School at the same time Looney was senior in high school.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Buena Park; 20 vs. Canyon at El Modena HS; 26 vs. Sunny Hills.

Oct. 2 vs. Katella at Glover Stadium; 10 vs. El Dorado; 17 vs. Savanna at Western HS; 24 vs. Valencia; 31 at Western.

Nov. 7 vs. Anaheim at Glover Stadium; 14 vs. Magnolia.