PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE : SANTIAGO

1998 RECORD: 8-3 overall, 4-2 in league

COACH: Ben Haley (26-25-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS:

6 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Christian Aguirre, WR/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Joe Bonilla, DL, 6-2, 275, Sr.; Cecilio Castro, DL, 6-5, 250, Sr.; Nick Fitch, OL, 6-0, 225, Jr.; Johnny Leuta, OL, 6-2, 295, Jr.; Trung Nguyen, DB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Brandon Perry, RB, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Brian Pilkington, QB, 6-5, 205, Jr.; Rudy Rodriguez, RB, 5-10, 155, Jr.; Bryan Thomas, RB/OLB, 5-10, 175, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Narcisco Garcia, WR/DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Viliamu Taafua, FB, 6-2, 275, So.

OUTLOOK

Juniors Pilkington and Perry are two reasons for optimism at Santigo, which has reached the playoffs twice in 12 years. Pilkington was the county’s 11th-rated passer as a sophomore and Perry, a defensive end last year, could be better than James Thomas, who rushed for 1,771 yards last year. “He’s a slasher and he makes moves you can’t teach,” Haley said. vl,5

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. Century at Garden Grove HS; 17 vs. Santa Ana at Garden Grove HS; 24 vs. Magnolia at Glover Stadium; 30 vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS.

Oct. 8 vs. La Quinta at Garden Grove HS; 15 vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove HS; 22 vs. Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove HS; 28 at Garden Grove.

Nov. 5 at Ocean View; 12 at Bolsa Grande.

SCHOOL WEB SITE

https://www.ggusd.k12.ca.us:80/schooldistrict/ school/high/High344289398/index.html