VALENCIA

1996 RECORD: 8-4 overall, 4-1 in league

COACH: Mike Marrujo (148-48-5 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 2 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Roger Fath, OT, 6-0, 235, Sr.; Jeff Ginter, WB/S, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Leroy Irvin, DE, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Justin Lang, S/RB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Dan Maurin, ILB/RB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Matt Randolph, ILB/TE, 6-1, 215, Sr.; William Taylor, DT/OG, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Jason Work, C, 6-0, 230, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Jason Annis, QB, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Ronald Morris, DB/WR, 6-0, 178, Sr.; Mike Terry, DE, 6-2, 216, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Valencia got back into the playoffs last season after a streak of 14 consecutive years ended in 1995. The defending league champion Tigers hope to work on building a new streak this season. The Tigers should be solid up front and especially tough to run against, Marrujo said. The veteran coach is also impressed with Annis, who is one of the best passers he has ever had. Annis also kicks and plays some defense for the Tigers. Irvin is the son of former Ram defensive back Leroy Irvin, who happens to be the defensive coordinator at Anaheim, so that Halloween game will have some added interest. Randolph, a Times second-team all-county selection last season, will be the main force on Valencia’s defense. Marrujo, in his 16th season at Valencia, says inexperience at several key positions is keeping him from making any predictions for his team this year. Once he sees his team under game conditions, he will have a better idea of where it stands. “We will compete for the league title if we play well,” Marrujo said. “With our inexperience, we are not sure how some of our younger players are going to perform in a game situation. There are still a lot of question marks.”

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. Villa Park at El Modena HS; 19 vs. Los Amigos; 26 vs. El Dorado.

Oct. 3 vs. Kennedy; 9 vs. Sunny Hills; 16 vs. Magnolia; 24 at Brea Olinda; 31 vs. Anaheim.

Nov. 6 vs. Savanna at Glover Stadium; 13 vs. Western.