COLLEGE FOOTBALL ‘99: THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES : SADDLEBACK

1998 RECORD: 2-8 overall, 2-3 in the Central Division

COACH: Mark McElroy (first year)

RETURNING STARTERS: 1 on offense, 2 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Shane Ellis, DL, 6-2, 225, So.; Chad Harris, DB, 5-10, 190, So.; John Jacobs, LB, 5-11, 210, So.; Tobey Minier, DL, 6-2, 270; So.; Max Paz, OL, 6-3, 300, So.; Norm Pridgen, DB, 5-10, 195, So.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Jake Fitch, QB, 6-1, 195, Fr.; Zack Foster, OL, 6-3, 245, Fr.; Al Gandall, RB, 5-11, 205, Fr.; Adam Hoover, QB, 6-1, 190, Fr.; David Little, RB, 5-9, 240, Fr.; Damien Minna, LB, 5-10, 215, So.; Ryan Neely, LB, 6-1, 225, So.; Brandon Runk, RB/DB, 6-0, 190, Fr.; Mark Tapley, QB, 6-1, 210, Fr.; Michael Tritz, OL, 6-0, 275, Fr.; John Vorsheck, OL, 6-4, 295, Fr.

OUTLOOK

The final week of practice has been tough for Saddleback, which has lost seven starters because of injury, academic ineligibility or personal reasons. Hardest hit is running back, where Julio Peraza, who had 1,339 yards last season, left the program to get a full-time job and backup Gandall hurt his hand, leaving his future uncertain. Runk, a member of Woodbridge High’s Southern Section Division VI championship team last year, will move from defensive back to running back. The defense is thin and inexperienced, but assistants Dick Stuetz and Don Butcher are back. They are the only remaining assistants from the college national championship teams in 1985, 1992 and 1996. Fitch, from Mission Viejo High, has the early lead in an intense three-way battle at quarterback and will start Saturday against Mt. San Antonio. “We’re very, very young,” McElroy said, “but we have great kids with great attitudes.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 at Mt. San Antonio; 18 at Orange Coast; 25 vs. El Camino.

Oct. 2 vs. Long Beach; 9 at Cerritos; 16 Bye; 23 vs. Riverside; 30 vs. Santa Ana.

Nov. 6 vs. Fullerton at CS Fullerton; 13 vs. Palomar at San Marcos HS; 20 vs. Golden West.

SCHOOL WEB SITE

https://www.Saddleback.cc.ca.us