PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : EMPIRE LEAGUE : KENNEDY

1998 RECORD: 6-4 overall, 2-3 in league

COACH: Mitch Olson (78-46 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Nick Tucker, LB, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Eric Mull, DE, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Mike Knobbe, DE, 6-2, 225, Sr.; Jaiya Howze, DB/WR, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Cliff Scott, OT, 6-3, 250, Sr.; Jeff McClain, WR, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Tim Reed, WR, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Brett Fitzpatrick, LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Ismail Garcia, C, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Mario Calderella, G, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Wayne Hartz, T, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Chris Coleman, G, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Sa Ho Ha, T, 6-0, 225, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Geoff Etherson, QB, 6-1, 175, Jr.; Kalvin Beatty, RB, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Jeff Anderson, WR/DB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Shawn Benevente, LB, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Bobby Marting, DT, 5-10, 250, Jr.

OUTLOOK

The Fighting Irish missed the playoffs for the second time in three years last season and if they are to return, their defense must lead them. Howze, an all-league defensive back as a sophomore, is among seven defensive starters returning. Tucker, Mull and Knobbe are effective run-stoppers. The offense sputtered at times last year, but Olson hopes Etherson, a part-time player last year, will help boost production.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 10 vs. Savanna at Glover Stadium; 17 vs. Anaheim at Western HS; 23 vs. Pacifica at Western HS.

Oct. 1 at Valencia; 7 vs. Los Alamitos at Long Beach Veterans Stadium; 14 vs. Loara at Western HS; 22 vs. El Dorado at Valencia HS; 29 vs. Century at Western HS.

Nov. 4 vs. Katella at Glover Stadium; 11 vs. Cypress at Western HS.

SCHOOL WEB SITE

https://www.auhsd.k12.ca.us/schooldistrict/school/high/Kennedy/index.html