EL DORADO

1999 RECORD: 5-6 overall, 2-3 in league

COACH: Rick Jones (58-61 in 11 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Jake Jones, TE/OLB, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Brian Zurhellen, QB/K, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Greg Reese, RB/DB, 5-9, 175, Jr.; John Guydon, DL/OL, 6-2, 250, Sr.; P.J. Montano, OL/DL, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Jeff Mathison, FB/DL, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Brian Howlett, OL/ILB, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Nick Merica, OL/DL, 6-0, 250, Jr.; P.J. McNiff, FB/ILB, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Karel Taska, WR/DB, 6-4, 200, Sr.; Jay Smithen, OL/DL, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Brett Bustrum, OL/ILB, 6-2, 200, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Cameron Mullins, RB/DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Kirk Deltrick, TE/OLB, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Joseph Hernandez, OL/ILB, 6-2, 195, Jr.; Greg Vickers, WR/DB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Gerry Brown, FB/ILB, 5-11, 195, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Coach Jones says his Hawks are young and will have to mature rapidly if they are to challenge for a playoff spot. He’s banking on an “outstanding team attitude” to get through the season. The Hawks should be able to get a measure of themselves in their opener at tradition-rich La Mirada, a perennial Southern Section title contender. The remainder of the nonleague slate isn’t soft, but it’s not the strongest, either, which should buy Jones time to get all the pieces in place for the league opener against Kennedy. Last season, El Dorado’s offense bogged down at times. Quarterback Zurhellen looks to double the 813 yards he passed for last season. He’ll also handle the kicking. He had 15 points after touchdowns in 1999. One of his top receivers could be tight end Jake Jones, who caught 17 passes in 1999 and averaged 14.6 yards a catch. Jones will also play linebacker, anchoring a defense that is expected once again to be a Hawk strong point, what with the return of linemen Montano, Guydon and Mathison.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 at La Mirada; 15 vs. La Habra at Valencia HS; 22 at Valencia; 29 vs. El Modena at Valencia HS.

Oct. 6 vs. San Gabriel Gabrielino at Rosemead HS; 12 vs. Kennedy at Western HS; 20 vs. Loara at Valencia HS; 27 vs. Cypress at Valencia HS.

Nov. 4 vs. Century at Santa Ana Stadium; 10 vs. Katella at Valencia HS.