SANTIAGO

1996 RECORD: 6-5 overall, 4-2 in league

COACH: Ben Haley (15-16 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 on offense, 3 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Joe Gonzalez, OL, 6-4, 245, Jr.; Rey Lua, DL, 6-3, 195, Sr.; James Thomas, RB, 5-8, 175, Jr.; Ben Tran, QB, 6-2, 165, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Kilolo Leauasega, WR/DB, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Mike Lopez, RB, 5-5, 155, Jr.; David Huongia, DL, 5-11, 260, Jr.; Dan Melender, RB, 5-10, 195, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Santiago gets tested early and it could make or break the season. The Cavaliers will travel to defending Division VIII champion Aliso Niguel the third game of the season and follow that up with back-to-back games against Los Amigos and Rancho Alamitos. Returning only six starters from last season’s third-place team, Santiago might struggle to earn a playoff spot this season. Second-team all-league pick Tran returns at quarterback, where he completed more than 50% of his passes last season (105 of 208). Also returning is defensive lineman Lua, another second-team all-league selection. Haley, who has seen his team improve each year in his four years in charge, is hoping for the same this season.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs. Magnolia at Western HS; 19 vs. Santa Ana at Garden Grove HS; 26 at Aliso Niguel.

Oct. 3 vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove HS; 10 vs. Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove HS; 17 at Garden Grove; 23 vs. West Covina South Hills at Covina District Field; 30 at Bolsa Grande.

Nov. 7 vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS; 14 vs. La Quinta at Garden Grove HS.