But it also had to be bittersweet for Heinrich, since the five talented players were the heart of the 2001 Saratoga football team and that all were lost to graduation.

Still, Heinrich isn't one to dwell on the past—he's too busy looking ahead to the future. And he's not worried about what the Falcons lost to graduation last spring, he's concentrating on the crew returning to the field at Saratoga this fall. And he likes what he sees.

Heading the list of Falcons this season will be talented linebacker Greg Van Hoesen (6-foot-3, 220 pounds). He's one of a half-dozen returning starters that also includes Jon Anderson (6-foot, 200), Chris Barrett (6-foot-2, 250), Mark Crosby (5-foot-10, 195), John Griffin (5-foot-11, 190) and Jeff Lee (5-foot-9, 200).

"[Van Hoesen] has already received a couple of early offers from Pac-10 schools," said Heinrich of a tough two-way starter. Van Hoesen will serve double-duty in the offensive line for the Falcons.

Heinrich rates Crosby and Griffin as "two of the best backs in the section." Griffin has hoisted 325 pounds in the bench press, and Crosby has benched 285 and logged a 4.5 40.

Lee is another top prospect in the backfield. "He's a hard worker and two-year starter," said Heinrich of Lee.

Anderson and Barrett are two talented athletes who will start in the offensive line for the Falcons. Anderson was the starting catcher on the Saratoga baseball team, and Barrett was the center on the school's basketball team.

"The offensive core consisting of Chris Barrett, Greg Van Hoesen, John Griffin, Mark Crosby, Jeff Lee, Jon Anderson and Matt Bickenbach should provide plenty of punch in the run game," said the coach.

It's the passing game that's unproven for the Falcons, with newcomer Brett Granum taking over for Moran at quarterback.

"Obviously the most critical position to retool is that of the quarterback," admitted Heinrich. But he's quick to add that Granum, last year's frosh-soph starter, "looks very promising at running the offense."

Granum will be targeting his passes to wide receivers Buck Wright (6-foot, 175), Jonny Miroyan (5-foot-9, 160), Paul Culbertson (6-foot, 170) and Kenny Keast and to Bickenbach (6-foot-2, 200) at tight end.

With Van Hoesen at linebacker and Crosby at strong safety, the Saratoga defense looks solid this fall.

Heinrich looks for Anderson, Barrett and Lee to "figure prominently as run stoppers" and adds that Bickenbach, Tom Cummins (6-foot-2, 180), Brett Behnke (5-foot-8, 170) and Kevin Yen (6-foot, 185) will be "putting pressure on the opposing quarterback."

Wright, Keast, Miroyan and Kyle McMullin (5-foot-8, 160) "look to be the front runners for us at corners and safety," said the coach, adding that newcomers Dayne McGee (5-foot-10, 180) and Ryan Newberry (6-foot, 175) also look good in the secondary.

"The 2002 campaign should be very challenging for the Falcons," admits Heinrich. "We graduated a good majority of our team last year, and the quarterback, tight end and wide receiver positions will all have new faces."

Saratoga will jump right into the 2002 season this week, hosting Capuchino in a 5:15 p.m. non-league game on Sept. 6 at Los Gatos.

Saratoga schedule

Sept. 6—Capuchino at Los Gatos, 5:15 p.m.
Sept. 20—at Mountain View, 3:15 p.m.
Sept. 27—at Cupertino, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4—Palo Alto* at LG, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11—at Gunn*, 3:15 p.m.
Oct. 18—at Milpitas,* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25—Santa Clara* at LG, 7:30 p.m.**
Nov. 2—Monta Vista at Cupertino, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8—Wilcox* at LG, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 15—at Los Gatos*, 7:30 p.m.
* De Anza Division game
** Homecoming game