CHANNEL LEAGUE : Oxnard Favored but Not Complacent : Yellowjackets Experiment by Playing Turner at All 4 Backfield Positions

To beat favored Oxnard High this year, Channel League opponents are going to have to tackle the elusive Johnel Turner. But first they have to find him.

Turner, best known for his exploits as quarterback in the Yellowjackets’ wishbone formation, will also play wingback, tailback and fullback in various sets.

Last Friday against Camarillo, Turner spent several series as the fullback in an I formation that also included Bryant Taylor at tailback and Mitch Watkins at quarterback. In the wishbone, which Oxnard ran almost exclusively last year, Taylor is the fullback and Watkins plays right halfback.

“We’re going to try some things this year,” Coach Jack Davis said in his usual understated manner.

A team must be committed to the wishbone to run it well because the option plays require instantaneous decisions by the quarterback and impeccable timing among the four backs. But Oxnard, apparently, is willing to risk a less-than-sharp wishbone in an effort to diversify the offense.

It worked in the season opener, a 27-0 runaway over Camarillo.

Turner and Taylor, both of whom rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year, would appear to have more than 1,000 assignments to learn. Especially considering they both play defense as well. Oh, yes, and Turner is the kicker.

At least they shouldn’t be bored.

Oxnard is not the only team returning top skill position players. Buena and Santa Barbara, the other serious contenders for the league title, have nearly their entire backfields back intact.

Quarterback Jason Isaacs, tailback Tony Williams and fullback Richard Harris demonstrated their explosiveness in a 35-30 season-opening victory over Westlake. Isaacs passed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, Williams rushed for 141 yards and Harris delivered crunching blocks as well as rushing for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Santa Barbara’s experience was evident early on as well. The Dons scored on their first six possessions in a 34-12 win over Sweetwater. Quarterback Pancho Renteria, a returning starter, completed his first six passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Fullback Chris Sanchez, a dominant two-way player, scored three touchdowns.

A look at the Ventura County teams in the Channel League:

Oxnard--Turner, Taylor and Watkins are not the only three-year varsity players. Center Tom Dowler and right guard Alex Soriano are also beginning their third seasons, giving the Yellowjackets an experienced offense.

The left halfback in the wishbone, Kenyon Lewis, lacks experience but not much else. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior is fast and has Division I potential, according to Davis. Lewis will often be the tailback in the I formation, which Oxnard will turn to primarily inside the 20-yard line.

Besides Dowler and Soriano, the line consists of senior tackle Steve Heiney, junior tackle Raul Lopez, sophomore guard John Smith and senior tight end Ryan Milborne. Neal Isherwood and J.J. Alvarez alternate at split end.

The Yellowjackets, who were 8-2 and missed the playoffs last season after winning their first eight games, are also experienced on defense. Watkins (who had three interceptions in the opener), Taylor, Turner and Lewis form an excellent secondary.

Senior outside linebackers Eric Satterwhite and Richard Haser are returning starters, although Haser has moved from cornerback. The middle linebacker is Brian Waits, a 6-1, 185-pound senior.

Jeremy Alley, a 6-2, 215-pound junior and second-year varsity player, and Quincy Johnson, a 6-3, 215-pound senior, are the defensive ends. Junior Jose Garcia (5-10, 255) and senior Joe Torres (5-11, 225) are the defensive tackles.

Buena--The continuing maturation of quarterback Jason Isaacs, who set a school record with 2,281 yards passing last year, makes the Bulldogs a team that can score any time from anywhere on the field.

Stocky tailback Tony Williams is a returning starter who gives Buena a multiple weapon--he rushed for 141 yards and one touchdown and caught eight passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Fullback Richard Harris, who is the team’s best defensive player, is a ferocious blocker and hard runner.

Receivers James Craft, the Channel League 200-meter champion in track, and Jeff Coyner, who caught 17 passes last year, must have productive seasons.

The offensive line is largely untested but played well in the opener. The guards are Scott Sueiven (5-10, 180) and Terry Hall (6-4, 240), both seniors who played in spots last year. Junior tackle Phil Kurta (6-3, 240) is the best prospect. Senior tackle Alan Mattox (6-3, 225) was a diligent worker during the summer.

Defensively, Buena is full of question marks, not many of which were answered after giving up 30 points to a less-than powerful Westlake team. This unit must improve if the Bulldogs are to match last season’s 10-3 mark.

Linebacker is the team’s strongest area. Joining Harris on the inside is Ryan Denger, a smart player who reads plays well. Two juniors, Dan Bradley and Chuck Mulaney, have also looked good and Scott says he has to find a place for them.

The secondary is solid with Williams and Chuck Stewart at cornerback and Coyner at safety.

Defensive end and outside linebacker are the weak areas. Kurta and junior letterman Rodney Cardona are solid at defensive tackle.

Rio Mesa--Despite a heart-breaking 28-27 opening loss to Channel Islands, Rio Mesa should rebound from last year’s 4-6 record. John Reardon is beginning his 22nd season as coach and he believes this team can compete for a playoff berth.

The Spartans rushed for 226 yards against Channel Islands, which is a drastic improvement from last season. Gody Abelera rushed for 99 yards in 12 carries and fullback Sal Balsano added 54 yards. Quarterback Henry Wilson played well under pressure, rushing for 43 yards and passing for 64.

The most dominant player might be defensive end Zelmer Lee (6-3, 210), who also sees action at tight end. Offensive linemen John Manachio, Marco Cadena, Matt McHale and Eric Paulson appear to be a cohesive unit.

Myron Hart, a senior free safety and wide receiver, caught three passes for 52 yards in the opener and could be one of the top defensive backs in the league. Junior cornerback Sam Garcia, who is the first baseman on the baseball team, is also a fine athlete.

In addition to Lee, Darren Mitchell (6-0, 300), Lance Roberts (6-2, 247) and Gadiel Plazza (5-11, 200) form the defensive line.

Gilbert Gutierrez and Eric Lopez are the linebackers.

Ventura--Despite defeating Simi Valley, 12-3, in the opener, Coach Harvey Kochel is unsure of his team’s potential. The Cougars have only two returning offensive starters--tackle Matt Eckman (6-3, 265) and running back Danny Taylor (5-11, 170).

Taylor, who rushed for 102 yards in 12 carries in the opener and broke a 40-yard run, is the team’s fastest player. He will play safety as well as tailback.

Ventura passed only twice against Simi Valley and doesn’t figure to fill the air against anybody. Jeff Dietz, a junior who was promoted to the varsity midway through last season is small (5-9, 155), but Kochel says he “takes control. He’s a smart kid.”

In addition to Taylor, junior Jack Hammond plays halfback. Jeff Green and Samsun Okinaga, both starting linebackers, will split time at fullback.

The wide receivers are Mike Flores (5-10, 170) and Tito Hoguin (5-9, 165) and the tight end is Brian Righetti (6-2, 210).

Eckman and senior Esau Panapa (6-0, 265), who will play guard or center, are the only linemen assured of starting positions.

Senior Jason McDaniel is a returning starter on the line and Kochel has high expectations for sophomore tackle Bill Dzuro.

Sky Hamilton joins Green and Okinaga at linebacker. Flores and Brian Towne are returning starters in the secondary.

Hueneme--The Vikings have adopted the run-and-shoot offense in an effort to disguise their lack of size on the offensive line. Quarterback Damon Hicks, a returning starter, missed the opener with the chicken pox, but he is expected to be back this week.

Mel Nunnery, a four-year varsity player, is expected to carry the load as the only running back.

Four wide receivers are utilized in the run-and-shoot, and six will alternate--sophomore Rex Barrios and seniors Angel Reyes, Mike Roberson, Doug Brooks, Danny McMichael and Jose Mendoza.

The offensive line has two returning starters in tackle Manny Perez and guard Eric Moreno. Joining them are Fred Moreno, Luis Moreno and Stan Martin.

Senior Robert Soto is an excellent defensive tackle and he will be joined on the line by Robert Harris, Jim Pettitt and Perez.

The Santa Barbara schools--Santa Barbara once again has a powerful team. Besides Renteria and Sanchez, look for offensive production from wide receivers Garrett Smith and Simon Banks. Kerry Lawyer and Robby Blakeney are promising tailbacks.

San Marcos and Dos Pueblos will have trouble matching up with the best of the league.