IRVINE

1997 RECORD: 3-7 overall, 1-4 in league

COACH: Terry Henigan (106-67-3)

RETURNING STARTERS: 7 on offense, 8 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Nick Alcaraz, DL, 5-11, 235, Sr.; Alec Alessi, OL, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Shawn Dickie, OL, 6-4, 300, Sr.; Adrian Guillen, DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Ethello Hall, OL, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Ray Kang, DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Chris Lee, 6-1, 185, LB, Sr.; Evan Little, WR, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Darren Matthews, LB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Sean Moussa-Zahab, WR, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Mike Nishimura, WR, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Sam Paik, RB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Brendon Payne, DE, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Dave Rice, DL, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Avi Shanbhag, DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Adam Wright, TE, 6-0, 205, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Brad Beuchat, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Dave Doomey, RB, 5-11, 175, So.; Mike Hedman, TE, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Jeremy Hampton, DL, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Chip Kimmich, LB, 6-3, 205, Sr.; Tim Koutsouros, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Doug Miller, DE, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Mike Patterson, LB, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Eric Patton, WR, 6-1, 185, So.; Alex Perez, OL, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Jessob Reisbeck, DB, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Martin Rovira, RB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Joey Stice, DE, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Garrett Vanlandingham, OL, 6-1, 245, Sr.; Sean Van de Mergel, QB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Harvey Wang, DL, 5-10, 185, Sr.; James Whitted, WR, 6-2, 190, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Irvine kept it exciting last year, losing one-point games to San Clemente and Woodbridge, and winning three times by six points or fewer, including 30-29 over University and 17-14 over Anaheim. The Vaqueros also hung tough against Mater Dei. Fifteen starters return. Van De Mergel (Gresham, Ore.) is a transfer, and Irvine’s offense could get off to a slow start until league begins. Solid receivers, a terrific left tackle (Dickie) and an experienced defense should help Van de Mergel’s transition.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. University; 18 vs. Saddleback; 25 at South Torrance.

Oct. 3 vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium; 9 vs. Loara; 16 vs. Woodbridge; 24 vs. El Toro; 30 vs. Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor HS.

Nov. 7 vs. Santa Margarita; 13 vs. Newport Harbor.