FOUNTAIN VALLEY

1995 RECORD: 7-4 overall, 3-2 in league.

COACH: George Berg (29-24-2 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 on offense, 4 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Travis Ault, OL/DL, 6-2 1/2, 260., Sr.; Mike Brady, DL, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Alfred Giles, DL, 6-1 1/2, 250, Sr.; Ian Gruca, WR, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Brian Hart, OL, 6-4, 280, Sr.; Mike Lamar, QB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Andrew Medley, RB/LB, 6-2, 230, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Aaron Carter, WR, 6-2, 180, So; Woodrow Otis, RB/LB, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Jason Perez, QB/WR, 5-7, 175, Jr.; John Sanders, RB/DB, 5-7, 155, Jr.; Justin Speegle, OL/DL, 6-2, 260, Sr.

OUTLOOK

The Barons think they have the goods to wrest the Sunset title from Esperanza and Los Alamitos. Never mind that they lost to both teams last season by a combined score of 50-15. Dismiss the notion that without graduated stars like quarterback Mitch Ryerson (2,149 yards, 24 touchdowns), running back Robert Alvarez (1,027 yards, eight touchdowns), or receivers Joey Vazquez (46 catches, 820 yards, 15 touchdowns) and Nick Kumpis (45 catches, 610 yards, five touchdowns), the offense won’t come close to the powerhouse that was one of five county teams to score 300 or more points in the regular season. Fountain Valley has managed to reload. The Barons have arguably the league’s best offensive line, led by Hart and Ault, and it grew over the summer with the addition of Speegle, an all-league transfer from Huntington Beach. Look for Fountain Valley to run more this season with Medley. The defensive line and linebackers are also solid. The secondary is questionable since no starters return. But if the Barons get rolling during the nonleague season, they could make things very interesting when league starts.