VALENCIA

1999 RECORD: 9-3 overall, 4-1 in league

COACH: Mike Marrujo (166-63-6 in 19 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 2 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Keith Allen, K, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Brad Bartczak, LB/FB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Grant Dhenin, DB/RB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Justin Fletcher, DB/WR, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Danny Lopez, DT, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Sonny Lopez, WR/DB, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Christian Marroquin, NG, 5-9, 205, Sr.; Scott Parker, RB/LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Alex Perez, DT, 6-1, 275, Sr.; Nick Woloshun, TE/DT, 6-4, 235, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

John Antolin, OT, 6-0, 275, Jr.; Robert Hernandez, QB, 6-1, 187, Jr.; Anthony Martin, NG, 5-9, 225, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Tigers had a lot of people fooled last season, outscoring their first four Orange League opponents, 144-21. But Valencia, which had seven defensive starters back last season, hit a wall against Brea Olinda. In a showdown for the league title, the Tigers gave up 20 second-quarter points and lost, 41-7. With Brea showing signs of an off-year, Valencia should get its biggest test from Savanna and Western in its first two league games. Villa Park has always provided a nice barometer for the Tigers at the start of the season. Valencia’s defense stopped Spartan quarterback John Henry Jackson on a sneak from a half-yard out in the season opener last season, enabling the Tigers to escape with a 20-15 victory. The Tigers’ biggest challenge will be finding replacements for inside linebackers Sal Mora and Bob Davis, who led the team in tackles last season. Garcia, a second-team all-league defensive linemen last season, will be Valencia’s main run stopper, with Fletcher, a three-year starter at defensive back, guarding against the pass. “When I look at the strength of our team, I see five sold players on defense,” Marrujo said. “Particularly on the defensive front.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 vs. Villa Park; 14 vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove HS; 22 vs. El Dorado; 29 vs. Kennedy at Western HS.

Oct. 5 vs. Sunny Hills; 13 vs. Savanna; 19 at Western; 27 vs. Magnolia at Glover Stadium.

Nov. 2 vs. Brea Olinda; 10 vs. Anaheim at Glover Stadium.