The Cupertino Courier

Sports

Turituri returns as a force on Wilcox defensive unit

By Mike Barnhart

It may take Wilcox a couple of games to find itself on offense, but there should be no doubt about its defensive identity. Meet senior linebacker Matt Turituri.

At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, number 51 usually is easy to spot by opponents. He's just not easy to avoid.

Turituri made 81 tackles in 10 games last season, including 60 solo stops and 5 1/2 sacks. He earned the Outstanding Outside Linebacker Award from the coaches in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.

In his third season as a starter, Turituri definitely will be the leader of the Chargers defense, but there is plenty of talent supporting him.

Senior defensive tackle Mark Gomez (5-foot-10, 245) was an all-league first team selection last fall, after getting involved in 38 tackles. Junior Zach Decremer (6-foot-1, 285), a standout offensive lineman who was honored as the De Anza Division's Sophomore of the Year, made 35 tackles from his defensive line position.

Senior defensive backs Tin Lam (18 tackles in 2006), Eric Baerga (11), Patrick Mitchell and Kyle Barraclough, and senior linebackers Brian Hwang, Nick Navarro and Sean Ferguson are looking to make an impact during their final season.

Decremer, Gomez and Turituri also will lead the charge on the offensive front, but they will be opening holes and providing protection for a new group of skill position players. Gone are running backs Justice Patterson (23 touchdowns, 1,071 yards) and Anthony Volk (4 touchdowns, 611 yards) and quarterback Stephen Thompson (447 yards passing, 381 rushing, 6 touchdowns combined).

Quincy Henry (5-foot-8, 165) is the top returning senior among the backfield candidates. He carried the ball 45 times as a junior for 260 yards and three touchdowns, including a long run of 59 yards.

Veteran coach Woody Freitas can choose between senior Ivan Rodriguez (6-foot, 165) and junior Cory Murphy (6-foot-3, 175) for the quarterback position. Rodriguez was Thompson's understudy last year, running 10 times for 47 yards and attempting six passes.

Kick scorer Jin Kim is back for his senior campaign, after converting 29 PATs as a junior.

Wilcox just missed a CCS playoff spot last season, after compiling a 3-3 record in the De Anza Division and a 5-5 mark overall.

The Chargers begin pre-season play at home with a pair of Friday night contests, Sept. 7 against Terra Nova and Sept. 14 against San Benito. Wilcox will travel to Scotts Valley on Sept. 22 before hosting crosstown rival Santa Clara in the De Anza Division opener on Sept. 28.