Santos watched Blankenship throw the ball well enough last fall to break three school records and lead the Warriors to an 8-3 season and a second-place finish in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

That was as a junior. Now Santos can hardly wait to see the numbers Blankenship can put up as a senior.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback will begin working on those numbers this week when the Warriors open the 2002 season on Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. against Fremont in a non-league game at Diesner Field.

Blankenship is coming off an all-league season which he threw 211 times for 2,026 yards and 20 touchdowns—all new Westmont records. For his efforts, he was named the junior of the year in the division.

The quarterback is one of four returning all-leaguers at Westmont who top a list of 17 returners for the Warriors. It's that group of experienced players, combined with a talented crop of newcomers, that give Santos reason to face the 2002 campaign with optimism.

"We're a senior-dominated team," said the coach.

Still, despite the experience, Santos' optimism is guarded. He's expecting a winning season, but he's not ready to predict a division championship—he picks Independence and Silver Creek as the title favorites.

"I am always optimistic, yet conservative," said Santos.

Returning all-leaguers Blankenship, Robert Jennings (6-foot-1, 215), Scott Stouffer (5-foot-6, 195) and Jacob Goytia (5-foot-8, 190) give the coach reason for optimism.

Stouffer returns as center for the Warriors, with Jennings, a strong safety, and Goytia, an inside linebacker, leading the club on the defensive side.

Stouffer anchors an offensive line that's "athletic but rebuilding," said the coach. Seniors Javier Alva (5-foot-9, 225) and Andrew Hilovsky (6-foot-3, 190) and junior Greg Bar (5-foot-10, 255) are returners in the Westmont line, and they're joined by junior Dan Garcia (6-foot-1, 185), up from the frosh-soph team.

Senior Eric Salmons (5-foot-10, 215) and junior Sebastian Lopez (6-foot-2, 255) are other key returners in the Westmont offensive and defensive lines.

Sophomore Ramsey Habib (5-foot-10, 235) and juniors Dean Antolin (5-foot-6, 220), David Lee (5-foot-10, 215), Oscar Garcia (6-foot-2, 255) and An Pham (5-foot-11, 240) give Westmont depth in the trenches.

Blankenship will be directing his passes to senior tight end Mike Bacciarelli (6-foot-5, 220) and wide receivers Burt Codera (5-foot-7, 140, junior), Brian DeWitt (5-foot-9, 155, senior) and Leon Rosario (5-foot-3, 160, junior), all back from last year's club.

Sophomore Dan Weller (5-foot-8, 175) and junior Eric Oswald (5-foot-8, 140) are a couple of newcomers hoping to see the ball come their way.

Codera, DeWitt and Gabe Regalado (5-foot-9, 170, senior) are returners in the defensive secondary.

Goytia is back as inside linebacker for the Warriors, and seniors Mike Jiosa (5-foot-8, 190) and Tony Swan (5-foot-8, 180) and junior Brandon Simon (5-foot-6, 205) are other returning 'backers. Junior linebacker Andrew Sharp (5-foot-9, 210) is a top prospect coming up from the frosh-soph team.

Backing up Blankenship as quarterback will be junior Mike DeNardi (6-foot-1, 185), also coming up from the frosh-soph squad.

Westmont schedule

Sept. 13—at Fremont, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20—Lincoln, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27—Mt. Pleasant, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5—at Del Mar,* 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 12—at Gunderson,* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18—Prospect,* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26—at Leland,* 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 1—Independence,* 7:30 p.m.**

Nov. 8—at Los Altos,* 2:45 p.m.
Nov. 15—Silver Creek,* 7:30 p.m.

* Santa Teresa Division game
** Homecoming game