WESTERN

1999 RECORD: 7-5-1 overall, 2-2-1 in league

COACH: Toby Howell (26-20-1 in 4 seasons at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 5 on offense, 6 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Hochan Chung, LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Rick De Vinney, DT, 6-2, 235, Sr.; Rodney Eason, RB, 5-11, 200, Jr.; David Gober, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Martin Gonzalez, LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Mike Hicks, QB/LB, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Chris Jackson, RB/LB, 5-9, 185, Jr.; John Saari, OL/DL, 6-3, 265, Sr.; Kyle Stanley, WR/LB/K, 5-10, 180, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Eric Centanni, DE/TE, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Ramsey Fiapai, OT/DE, 6-4, 265, Jr.; Fadi Kassem, C, 6-1, 230, Sr.; Fili Moala, OT/DE, 6-4, 260, So.; D.J. Jorgenson, WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Western has produced some solid running backs the last few years, including Trevell Jackson, who rushed for 3,321 yards and 44 touchdowns in 1997 and ’98. But Howell thinks Gober will be the best back to carry the ball in his five-year tenure. Unlike Jackson and last year’s pounder, Jamiah Williamson, Gober is a slasher who prefers to take on the defense from the outside. “We don’t tell him what to do,” Howell said. “He just follows his blocks and that’s what he does best.” One of Gober’s best efforts last season came against Brea Olinda in their annual Orange League showdown. Gober scored on a 50-yard run early in the game to give the Pioneers a 21-0 lead, but Brea Olinda stormed back to force a tie. The Wildcats later defeated Western in the Southern Section semifinals, 24-14. Gober also gained 186 yards in 14 carries in a 44-27 nonleague victory over Pacifica. Gober will have to make due with only one returning lineman (Saari), but Hicks is a good enough passer to keep the defense honest. Western gave up a ton of points last season and the Pioneers might be forced to outscore their opponents again this year--even with six starters returning on defense. “If we can’t tackle, we might be in for the same type of games,” Howell said.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 vs. Loara at Glover Stadium; 15 vs. El Toro; 21 vs. Rancho Alamitos; 29 at Whittier Pioneer.

Oct. 6 at Hacienda Heights Los Altos; 12 vs. Magnolia at Glover Stadium; 19 vs. Valencia; 26 vs. Anaheim.

Nov. 3 vs. Savanna; 10 at Brea Olinda.