LAGUNA HILLS

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

COACH: Steve Bresnahan (65-31-2 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 8 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Dave Berutich, OG, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Ian Bochenek, DL, 6-3, 325, Sr.; Nate Carreno, C, 6-1, 245, Jr.; Anthony Daye, LB, 6-2, 225, Jr.; Nick Harvey, LB, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Jeff Hick, OG, 6-1, 235, Jr.; Michael Jones, RB, 6-1 1/2, 190, Jr.; Saia Makakaufaki, 6-3 1/2, 235, Jr.; Dustin Mang, DB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Kevin McCaffrey, DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Cory Pardoe, QB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Garrit Schmitz, DB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Navid Shafi, WR, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Miguel Thibodeau, DL, 5-11, 190, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Tom Banning, QB, 6-1, 175, Jr.; Scott Christie, SS, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Jerry Hart, DE, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Alex San Juan, LB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Mike Seeley, DE, 6-1, 200, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Hawks are favored to repeat as league champion for a third time, but they clearly seek a higher goal. Their playoff run ended all too soon in a 14-13 loss to Division VIII champion Temescal Canyon in the second round. Laguna Hills will have a physically strong team, and with last year’s successful season to build upon, this is a team that isn’t lacking experience. With 31 returning lettermen, depth shouldn’t be a problem either, unless Jones gets hurt. Jones rushed for a 2,350 yards, fourth-best all-time in Orange County, and scored 25 touchdowns--last year’s second-best total. Despite his quickness, the Hawks lack the kind of overall team speed that would give Bresnahan a little more confidence. They must also replace some very good seniors, such as all-league players Adam Heller (DB), Jeff Gahagan (WR), Jay Johnson (TE), Manual Rocha (OL), Fadi Jarrar (DL) and Tony Mastrogiannis (DL).