MAGNOLIA

1996 RECORD: 4-6 overall, 1-4 in league

COACH: Bill Friedrich (11-60-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 6 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Chris Clark, DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Asi Faoa, LB/TE, 6-3, 230, Jr.; Oscar Orozco, LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Billy Ortiz, WR, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Jonathan Parson, DT, 6-3, 280, Sr.; Julio Pinedo, DB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Will Speer, RB/DB, 5-8, 175, Jr.; Anthony Zaragoza, QB, 6-3, 185, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

John Ghiliei, OL, 6-2, 265, Sr.; Elden Krause, OL, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Adam Sommer, OL, 5-11, 225, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Zaragoza is the league’s only returning starter at quarterback, which gives Magnolia an edge right away. Friedrich also says Zaragoza, Speer and Faoa are “three of the best-skilled players in the league.” Magnolia’s junior varsity team finished 9-1 last season and Friedrich said his team is getting more help from below than any other team in league. Speer rushed for 600 yards and scored four touchdowns as a sophomore last season, but Magnolia’s line was bigger then. “We lost a lot of offensive linemen through graduation,” Friedrich said. “We had some hulks last year.” Faoa, a junior linebacker/tight end, is the only player that will have considerable playing time on both sides of the ball. Friedrich expects his line to be a little green in the beginning, but there is some experience in Parson, who won several weightlifting competitions over the summer. Krause is another strong lineman who has impressed Friedrich. “I think we’ve improved every year I’ve been here, except for one setback when we lost 11 starters over the summer,” Friedrich said. “Our coaching staff ends up working harder to coach than others do.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Santiago at Western HS; 18 vs. Bolsa Grande at Western HS; 26 at Fullerton.

Oct. 4 vs. Pacifica at Western HS; 10 at Laguna Beach; 16 at Valencia; 24 vs. Anaheim at Western HS; 30 vs. Savanna at Glover Stadium.

Nov. 6 at Western; 14 at Brea Olinda.