Riverbank Bruins

Coach: Jim Oliver

Career record: 3-7

Record at school: 3-7

Last year: Riverbank (3-7, 0-6) won three of its first four, with the loss a one-point decision at Delhi, before hitting the meat of its schedule and losing its final six. The Bruins suffered last in the season from a lack of depth.

Last league title: 1978

Last playoff berth: 2004

Coaching staff: Jeff Wyatt, Terrill Powell, Mario Reyes, Mearl Richison, Mike Foster, Jeramie Helwick, Dan Alonzo, Mike Thomas, Jose Lopez, Tyler Vaisau, Jason Scott, Terrell Enis, Wayne Davison, Rob Taylor.

Top returners: OL/DL Nestor Montoya (5-10, 255), TE/LB Luis Solorio (6-1, 220), WR/LB Joaquin Felix (5-10, 165), FB/DL Chad Oliver (5-9, 205), LB Fabian Arana (5-11, 205, jr.), WR/DB Christian Torres (6-0, 170), RB/DB Anthony Gonzales (5-8, 180), QB/DB Angel Torres (5-10, 170), WR/DB Cecil Arias (5-9, 165), OL/DL Bobby Schmidt (5-11, 205), Chad Bouillard (6-0, 210). Top newcomers: RB/DB Gabriel Manriquez (5-7, 145, soph.), RB/DB Antonio Perez (5-11, 175), OL/DL Oscar Rodriguez (5-10, 215, jr.), WR/DB Alex Osborne (5-11,1 50, jr.), WR/DB Jacques Lewis (6-2, 175, jr.), WR/DB Angel Esquivel (67-1, 180, jr.), RB/DL Orlando Gutierrez (5-7, 175, jr.), WR/DB Alfredo Capas (5-11, 165, jr.).

Outlook: With the graduation of QB Alex Reynaga, one of the most dynamic players to ever wear a Bruin uniform, Riverbank is expecting depth and an infusion from the JV level to improve on last season’s performance. … The staff has been together for a year, and has added new elements to the offense and defense in the offseason. In the TVL, it always comes down to who is most physical on the line – that’s why Escalon and Hilmar dominated this league. The Bruins have plenty of time lifting weights, Oliver promises. … The Bruins had won seven games in the previous six years years, before winning three last fall. They’re 1-31 since joining the TVL in 2006, though.

Key game: Week 5 (Sept. 21) at Orestimba. The league opener should answer a few questions, like whether Riverbank has made a step up from last year and whether the Bruins have committed to a strenuous conditioning program.