Three Glittered Brightest Above the Shining Stars : Lincoln End Is Definitely Top of the Line : Lineman of the Year: Statistics and versatility set Andrew Turner apart from a talented group of linemen. He says team success is more important than individual honors.

Andrew Turner isn’t someone who just emerged as a force in county high school football. He has been around.

And he has been noticed. Last year, he was named to the City Central League’s first team.

This year, the Lincoln senior defensive end established himself as The Times’ Lineman of the Year.

What singled out Turner from a large group of talented lineman, which included El Camino’s Peau Atoe and Mission Bay’s Dareke Fleming, were two factors: phenomenal statistics and, Turner’s ability to play both defensive and offensive line.

Turner’s defensive statistics included 94 tackles, 15 for losses, 11 quarterback sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and four fumbles-forced.

Although his statistics were impressive, Turner says he is most pleased about his team’s accomplishments.

“I’m real proud of my accomplishments,” he said. “This is the kind of thing you dream about since Pop Warner. But I’m more proud of the accomplishments of the team. We had a never-say-die attitude on the team and we played as a family.”

The Hornets advanced to the 2-A final where they lost to El Camino, 38-6. They finished with an 11-3 record. Lincoln’s two regular-season losses came at a time the Hornets were nursing several injuries.

One reason Lincoln got as far as the Section championship was because of the play of the defensive line. Vic Player, Lincoln’s coach, said he was proud his team’s defense was able to keep teams from running successfully. Turner’s 94 tackles were a big reason for the defense’s success.

Turner, listed at 6-feet-2 and 215 pounds in the Lincoln program, has been a target of many college scouts.

Turner said he is mulling scholarship offers from No. 1 Colorado, USC, University of the Pacific, the University of Oregon, Arizona State and San Diego State.