Sports
For Santa Margarita, Tuerk Is At the End of the Help Line
Led by USC-bound Max Tuerk, the offensive line has anchored the Eagles' success this season.
Quarterbacks throw for touchdowns, and tailbacks run them in. Linebackers rack up tackles, and cornerbacks pick off passes. But offensive lineman are responsible for the only statistic that ultimately matters, the one that shows up each week in the win/loss column.
Santa Margarita Catholic, which will play in the California Interscholastic Federation Division I State Bowl Campionship against San Jose Bellarmine Prep on Dec. 16 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, easily boasts one of the most dominant offensive lines in the nation.
Led by USC-bound tackle Max Tuerk, the Eagles' line is imposing, intelligent, nasty and fun-loving. From right to left, the group includes, tackle Riley Sorenson, guard Cole Luther, center Dane Crane, guard Erik Bunte and Tuerk, a former tight end turned blue chip left tackle by line coach Marty Spalding.
Spalding, long considered one of the outstanding line coaches in Orange County, has announced that this is his last season of coaching, and it has turned into a special season for him.
Not only does Tuerk play well beyond his years, but he allows Coach Harry Welch and Santa Margarita's offense an incredible amount of freedom with what plays they can run, simply because he is the type of player rarely found at the high school level. Need him at left tackle to thwart a speed rush on a pass play? Check. Need him to move inside to guard to open a hole for Johnny Stanton on a quarterback keep? Check.
Whatever Welch needs, Tuerk and crew delivers. Play, after play, after play.
Patch talked with Tuerk, Luther and Spalding following the Eagles' 27-13 win over San Clemente Saturday night at Angel Stadium. Santa Margarita captured its first ever CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division championship. Take a look at the video to hear what they had to say.
