KENNEDY

1995 RECORD: 10-2 overall, 5-0 in league.

COACH: Mitch Olson (59-39-3 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 6 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Chuck Adame, RB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Matt Alfroz, DE/WR, 5-9, 200, Jr.; Brian Carpenter, DT, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Adrian Durley, DE/OT, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Tom Haas, QB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Neil Hannifan, C, 6-2, 225, Jr.; Kristian Hernandez, OT, 6-5, 275, Sr.; J.D. Jones, SS/ 6-0, 185, Sr., Josh Koziel, G, 6-0, 215, Jr.; William Moschel, LB/RB, 5-10, 190, Sr. John Martinez, DE/WR, 6-2, 195, Jr.; Cliff Okada, CB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Garrett Sabol, WR/FS, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Lester Scott, CB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Dane Smith, OT/DE, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Jack Tucker, LB, 6-1, 230, Jr.; Dawnte Welch, DT, 6-0, 245, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Andre Bank, WR, 6-3, 180, Jr.; Steve Hein, G, 6-1, 230, Jr.; Steve Mao, G/DT, 5-10, 250, So.; Del Mora, WR/LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Aaron Sanders, FB/LB, 6-2, 230, Jr.; Rob This, DE, 6-0, 195, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Fighting Irish should be the class of the Empire League, if not Division V. Eight all-league players return, including Sabol, the league MVP, and Haas, the league offensive MVP. “We’ve never had the top-notch athletes back like we have this year,” Olson said. “On paper, this is the best team we’ve ever had here. We have high expectations.” The expectations start with Sabol, who can dominate a game on offense and defense. Haas, who passed for 1,619 yards and 13 touchdowns, should have plenty of time to improve on his numbers as four-fifths of the starting line returns. Hernandez, a first-team all-leaguer, anchors the line.