NEWPORT HARBOR

1995 RECORD: 4-6 overall, 2-3 in league

COACH: Jeff Brinkley (76-41 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Phil Baltazar, DE, 6-2, 195, Jr.; Josiah Fredriksen, QB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Pete Hogan, TE/LB, 6-1, 210, Jr.; Brad LaBass, WR/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Dan Otting, DT, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Danny Pulido, WR/LB, 6-4, 225, Sr.; Joe Urban, FB/LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Greg Wertman, RB/DB, 6-1, 195, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Eddie Clarke, OT, 6-4, 215, Jr.; Jason Deere, DT, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Ian Dorish, OT, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Derek Fox, DT, 240, Jr.; Erik Runfola, DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.

OUTLOOK

There’s always one given at Newport Harbor--the team will be physically strong. The Sailors will rely heavily on their skill players because that’s where their experience lies. The question mark on the team is the linemen, who are young. Deere’s development might be especially interesting to watch this season. He took second at the Southern Section Division II and Masters wrestling tournaments last year and finished seventh in the state tournament. He’s listed at 240 pounds but wrestled at 275 last year. Fredriksen averaged 15.1 yards per completion but had only eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Pulido, a second-team all-league tight end, caught 37 passes for 621 yards (16.7 average, six touchdowns). The Sailors will be looking for someone to emerge at running back to provide some offensive balance. Urban, a first-team all-league linebacker, anchors the defense. Newport Harbor fans can probably expect a season similar to last year, when the team had four returners on offense, two on defense.