EL DORADO

1997 RECORD: 8-3 overall, 4-1 in league

COACH: Rick Jones (47-50 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 3 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Tim Fairfield, TE/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Brandon Fischer, RB/LB, 5-10, 200; Dan Hancock, OL/DL, 6-1, 250, Sr.; Aaron Milroy, OL/DL, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Tyler Monroe, WR/DB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Bryce Nebeker , TE/LB, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Mitch Nord, QB/DB, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Danny Pierro, FB/LB, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Jim Richardson, WR/DB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Alex Sanchez, WR/DB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Jason Vermilyer, FB/LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Macky Bluth, OL/DL, 6-3, 245, Jr.; Byron Davis, TE/LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Dan Hanaumi, WR/DB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Matt McConnell, TE/DB, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Eric Rarey, OL/DL, 6-0, 250, Jr.; Joe Turgeon, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, So.; Nick Zehner, RB/DB, 5-8, 155, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Golden Hawks’ season got off to a rough start when three starters were involved in an auto accident near Lake Havasu, Ariz., in mid-August. Fairfield and McConnell suffered minor injuries and are expected back for the Sept. 11 opener, but Fischer--an all-league running back--is out for at least four games with a scalp injury. Zehner, Monroe and Pierro will split time at running back until Fischer returns. Fortunately for El Dorado, it has Nord, a second-team all-league quarterback. Nord threw for 1,234 yards and 12 touchdowns, but finished with 10 interceptions and completed only 40% of his passes. “He’s a possible Division I quarterback,” Jones said. “But we have to be able to catch the ball more consistently.” Consistency is something the Hawks’ have had in Jones’ tenure--seven consecutive playoff berths. This year should make eight.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 at Canyon; Sept. 18 vs. La Habra at Valencia HS; Sept. 25 at Valencia HS.

Oct. 2 vs. El Modena at Valencia HS; Oct. 9 vs. Brea Olinda at Valencia HS; Oct. 16 vs Century at El Modena HS; Oct. 23 vs. Katella at Valencia HS; Oct. 29 vs. Kennedy at Western HS.

Nov. 6 vs. Loara at Valencia HS; Nov. 12 vs. Cypress at Valencia HS.