COSTA MESA

1999 RECORD: 8-3 overall, 3-1 in league

COACH: Jerry Howell (35-20 in 5 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Tony Ashcroft, TE/LB, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Charlie Amburgey, OT, 6-2, 260, Sr.; Luis Avalos, K, 5-8, 170, Jr.; Louis Day, TE/LB, 6-4, 190, Sr.; Anthony Grubisich, OG/DT, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Wayne Hansen, OT, 6-3, 275, Sr.; Daniel Hunter, RB/DE, 5-9, 195, Sr.; Pat Hulliger, QB/LB, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Danny Mardikian, DT, 5-11, 250, Sr.; Alvin Nguyen, RB/LB, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Luther Mitchell, OG, 5-6, 300, Sr.; Scott Schepens, C, 5-11, 220, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Carlos Alderete, OG/DE, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Keoina Asuega, OG, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Keola Asuega, RB/LB, 6-1, 185, So.; Nick Cabico, RB/DB, 5-10, 150, Jr.; Andrew Carich, OG/DT, 6-0, 260, So.; Josh Clever, C/LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Jeremy Cooper, OT/DE, 6-4, 210, Sr.; Benedick David, RB/DE, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Marco Fuentes, QB/LB, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Mike Gardiner, WR/DB, 6-3, 180, Jr.; Jason Hurley, RB/LB, 5-11, 175, So.; Billy Jordan, WR/DB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Lenny Lukela, WR/DB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Mike McGuire, C/DE, 6-0, 165, Jr.; Robert McQueen, OG/TE/DT, 6-3, 260, Jr.; Paul Martin, OG, 6-3, 260, So.; Josh Strickland, WR/DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Costa Mesa will try to defend its league championship without the league’s offensive player of the year, C.J. Zuniga, who rushed for 2,053 yards but is ineligible. However, there are solid reinforcements in Hurley, Keola Asuega, and Cabico, representative of the depth at the skill positions. Cabico transferred back to Costa Mesa after spending last season at Mater Dei; he will start on offense and defense, and could also return kicks. New coordinator Tom Baldwin has opened the offense to take advantage of outstanding team speed, and Howell thinks the Mustangs will be as good or better than they were last season. Avalos didn’t miss a field goal last season.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium; 15 vs. Bolsa Grande at Orange Coast College; 22 vs. Westminster at OCC; 29 vs. Ocean View at Newport Harbor.

Oct. 7 vs. Brethren Christian at Long Beach Clark Field; 13 vs. Corona del Mar at OCC; 19 vs. Laguna Beach at OCC; 27 vs. Estancia at Newport Harbor HS.

Nov. 3 vs. University at Irvine HS; 9 vs. Northwood at Newport Harbor HS.