After missing the playoffs by one game, EC football coach John Featherstone brings back a strong nucleus of talent to compensate for the loss of leaders in Matt Engle (UC Davis), Keith Ellison (Oregon State) and Elias Ellis (Arkansas State).

The Warriors will return 40 sophomores and expect to welcome in around 70 freshmen, Featherstone said.

Competing in the Mission Conference is no easy task. With the last 12 national champions coming from the conference, EC has to have at least 22 solid players that can contribute consistently on both sides of the ball.

During Featherstone’s 19-year tenure, the quarterback position has produced eight all-Americans. EC brings back Jim Toti from West Torrance and Nick Emmons (El Segundo) along with returnees Donavan Dooly (Detroit) and Don Poole. Five incoming freshman are also competing for the starting position.

“All the QB’s are improving everyday, the competition is going to be there,” Dooly said. “I guarantee I will step up and take a leadership position.”

The strength of this offensive unit will be its offensive line, anchored by center Aaron Sapien (West Torrance).

The defensive unit will return six starters.

Eddie Hernandez (Leuzinger), corners Steven Akarim (Lakewood) and Charles Clavens (St. Peters College in Florida) will help in locking up opposing teams’ passing attacks.

“I learned a lot from the sophomores last year; now it’s my turn to pass on the knowledge to the young guys,” Clavens said.

All-conference linebacker Kasey Sitchler from (Mira Costa) and Keti Taufoou from (Hawthorne) will man up the middle of the defense.

Defensive end Delvondre Gardner (San Jose State) is ready to step up and let everyone know how it’s supposed to be done.

“You have to do whatever the coaches say in order to be successful,” Ellis said.