Season Outlook
1991 RECORD
7-4-1
COACH RECORD
Jim Hartigan 27-9-1
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 5
Defenise: 9
TOP RETURNERS
Bert Coutts, 6-3, 215 – DE Sr.
Kevin Duffy, 5-9, 160 – DB Sr.
Mike Gillissie, 6-1, 180 – LB Sr.
Brent Noonan, 6-2, 215 – C/DE Sr.
Sean O’Brien, 6-4, 220 – QB/DB Sr.
Tim Sulick, 6-2, 200 – LB Sr.
Joe Winkelmann, 6-2, 205 – OG Sr.
Ryan Zinn, 5-9, 160 – DB Sr.
Brad Finneran, 6-4, 185 – WR/DB Jr.
Brian Finneran, 6-4, 185 – WR/DB Jr.
TOP NEWCOMERS
Anthony Galasso, 5-10, 180 – RB Sr.
Tony Knacck, 6-2, 205 – TE Sr.
John Zampese, 5-9, 175 – RB/DB Sr.
Steve Doan, 6-2, 245 – NG Jr.
Tom Norfleet, 5-9, 165 – DB Jr.
Derek Yankoff, 6-1, 180 – QB/LB Jr.
OUTLOOK
The 1992 season will display some very fine talent and will also see the Eagles getting back into league competition. Last year the CIF decided Irvine and Santa Margarita would join the Sea View League at the start of the 1992 school year, joining Corona Del Mar, Newport harbor, Saddleback, Tustin, University and Woodbridge. The Eagles will face some fierce competition throughout the league, but they have always risen to the occasion in big games.
Jim Hartigan begins his sixth year at the school and it will be the fourth varsity team for the Eagles. Jason Hitchens will again coordinate the defense which will be more aggressive and active than last year’s team. Offensively, Tim O’Hara takes over the coordinating duties after 2 years as the quarterback coach. The Eagles veer attack will again be employed, however it will have a new look. Also, the Eagles will rely mon a more balanced attack in ’92.
Some key returning players include All-CIF safety Sean O’Brien, who will also start at Quarterback, Brian Finneran, Brent Noonan, Joe Winkelmann, Brad Finneran and Kevin Duffy. The newcomers include several members of Jeff Seckman’s undefeated sophomore team, and they should help tremendously. One of the top players from the squad is Steve Doan, who could be a two-way starter as a lineman.
The pre-season schedule starts with Division I opponent, St. John Bosco. The Eagles travel to Notre Dame and finish with Buena Park at home before league play. The Sea View League will be one of the best in the country with defending Division II champion Irvine, Division VI finalist Tustin and perennial power Woodbridge. Last year the Eagles fell to University 12-13 and they will face them week five. It should be a tough and exciting season as the Eagles look to close in on its first league and CIF Championships.
After two years of playing a freelance schedule, the Eagles have a league to call their own. Two years ago, the Eagles reached the semifinals of the Southern Section Division IV playoffs. Last season, they reached the quarterfinals of the Division V playoffs. The defense will be strong, with nine starters back. The offense should be good, too, provided Hartigan can find a replacement for Josh Ireland, the team’s workhorse. Ireland gained more than 1,500 yards last season. Zampese, the son of Ram offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese, and Galasso will take a crack at filling his shoes. More will be expected of O’Brien, who threw for more than 1,000 yards last season.
