PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : SUNSET LEAGUE : HUNTINGTON BEACH

1998 RECORD: 6-4-1 overall, 1-3-1 in league

COACH: Tony Ciarelli (8-11-2 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 2 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Shaun Shuck, RB, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Luc Alexander, OL, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Shaun Donahoe, DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Mark Corrales, DL, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Chad Maki, LB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Jordan Connelly, OL, 6-3, 255, Jr.; Kiet Nguyen, OL, 5-9, 255, Sr.; Casey Ryder, QB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Travis Pett, DB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Barry Nerhus, LB, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Russell Oshman, DB 5-10, 180, Jr.; Justin Keadle, WR, 6-3, 195, Jr.; Russell Chamberlin, LB, 6-2, 235, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Johnny Niutapuai, DL, 6-0, 315, Jr.; Brian Ruzicki, OL, 6-3, 215, So.; Adam Bent, OL, 6-4, 255, So.; Joey Haskins, QB, 6-3, 175, So.; Phil Amico, QB, 6-3, 185, So.; Rob Rossy, DB, 5-9, 175, So.

OUTLOOK

The Oilers improved from 2-7-1 in 1997 to 6-4-1 and now are looking for a top-three finish in league. It will be tough, however, with only one offensive lineman returning from a group that was the team’s strength last year. Depth is a problem at all positions, Ciarelli said. Last spring, 70 players came to practice. When conditioning began last Monday, there were only 50. Shuck rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a platoon role last year and will handle most of the running himself this year. Ryder helped guide the junior varsity to a 9-1 record last year and also got some varsity playing time. Niutapuai is a transfer from Westminster who has plenty of size to stuff the middle as a nose guard.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 vs. Downey; 17 at Torrance; 24 at Long Beach Millikan.

Oct. 1 vs. Paramount; 8 at Dana Hills; 15 vs. Fountain Valley; 21 vs. Esperanza; 29 vs. Marina.

Nov. 4 vs. Los Alamitos at Long Beach Veterans Stadium; 12 vs. Edison.