CANYON HAS PLENTY TO PROVE COWBOYS INEXPERIENCED, BUT THEY HAVE TALENT.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Like most of Canyon High's starters, running back J.J. DiLuigi has a lot to prove. He's among a group of inexperienced but enthusiastic newcomers hoping to live up to a legacy that has seen Canyon win 10 or more games and advance to at least the second round of the Southern Section Div. II playoffs three years in a row.

``We don't have a ton of stars, but we do have a lot of key players who, when everyone is doing the same thing, we look pretty good,'' said DiLuigi, a junior who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and scored 26 touchdowns last season on the junior-varsity team.

DiLuigi, a fast and powerful 5-foot-9, 174-pounder, is the latest in a growing line of Canyon running backs who always are asked to do a little bit of everything: run, catch, block, and perhaps return kicks.

DiLuigi is ready to take over, and perhaps he'll follow in the footsteps of recent graduates Justin Williams and Louis Montano, first-team All-Southern Section selections.

``I'd say I'm doing pretty good. I just need to keep working hard,'' DiLuigi said. ``I hope the line keeps blocking. There aren't a lot of big guys like last year, but they're just as strong. Plus, they're not out partying as much.''

The starting-quarterback position remains unsettled. Austin Civita, a returning senior, has competed equally with promising junior Ben Longshore, and both will play until one emerges as No. 1. They've looked sharp during summer, and they were equally effective during an opening scrimmage last week against Palmdale, so there isn't much concern about not having a definitive starter.

What is a concern is Canyon's defense. Despite an impressive winning percentage, the Cowboys have allowed an average of 26.9 points against Foothill League opponents the past two seasons. Such vulnerability stops now, says linebacker Tyler Hawkins, one of the team's big hitters.

``We've given up a lot of points in the past, so we want to fine-tune everything this year,'' Hawkins said. ``I think every aspect of our defense is the focus this year.''

Canyon opens at 7 Friday night at Leuzinger of Lawndale, and it puts a 17-game nonleague winning streak on the line.

A revamped coaching staff under Harry Welch, who has brought in five new assistants, makes the Cowboys like a whole new team. And in a lot ways, that's the case: Nearly every important skill player and most of Canyon's top linemen last year were seniors.

It's a fresh and exciting era, but will the Cowboys continue to be a dominant team? The players and coaches appear ready to take on the challenges awaiting them.

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

POSITION-BY-POSITION ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK

A summer-long competition for the starting job between returning backup Civita and junior Longshore was so even that they'll continue to split time during the regular season. Both are tall with strong arms.

Civita has an edge in experience - he spent last season with the varsity - but Longshore has all-star genes. One of his brothers, Nate, was an All-American quarterback at Canyon who holds most of the school's career passing records. His other brother, Nick, is a BYU lineman who starred at Canyon and College of the Canyons.

RUNNING BACK

DiLuigi is the starter after one of the most productive JV seasons in Foothill League history last year. He combines impressive power with breakaway speed, and many expect a huge season. Michael Montano also is solid, although he's slated to concentrate on defense as a cornerback. Montano impressed as a JV running back two years ago. Hawkins, who was the No. 2 tailback last season, also is capable - and a team leader defensively as a linebacker. Leon Henderson also might get a look.

RECEIVERS

Richie Wirthlin is a prime target. He's very fast with good hands, and he scored a lot of touchdowns during summer passing competitions after missing nearly all of his junior season with injuries. He's expected to have a breakout season. Wirthlin's brother, Steven, also looks sharp, and so do fellow sophomore Mark Urbina and tight end Troy Curvey. Also in the mix are Chris Kingsbury, Kenny Suber and Mike Loucks.

LINE

Annually a strength of the team, and Canyon again has a solid group, led by Nick Madia and Aaron Gross, two of the league's strongest and most-skilled blockers.

Defensively, Marc Valdez made four sacks last year, but he is expected to miss the first few games with a knee injury. Garrett Leary returns, and he's a real talent.

LINEBACKER

Hawkins, a second-team all-league selection last season, leads an excellent corps. He's an athletic, heady tackler and one of the Cowboys' best athletes. Matt Brown also loves to hit, and Nick Jurado, who transferred two years ago from Santa Clarita Christian, appears primed to make a major impact.

SECONDARY

Lots of speed in the secondary, and that ought to be an important quality once league competition begins and Canyon must contend with Hart's and Valencia's prolific passing offenses. Wirthlin and J.P Curvey enjoyed excellent summers, and coach Harry Welch loves Blake McMartin, who brings a hitter's mentality. Kingsbury also is expected to play a pivotal role.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Phil Malinowski and Christopher Chapman will share kicking duties, and they are expected to continue Canyon's fine tradition at the position. DiLuigi and Kingsbury are the kick returners, and both possess breakaway speed. Kingsbury broke a 55-yard return in an opening scrimmage last week against Palmdale.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 4 boxes

Photo:

(1) Candidates for Canyon High's starting quarterback are Ben Longshore, left, who directed the JV team to a 10-0 record last year, and Austin Civita, a varsity backup in 2004.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

(2) J.P. Curvey

Box:

(1) POSITION-BY-POSITION ANALYSIS (see text)

(2) NUMBERS GAME

(3) SCHEDULE

(4) VARSITY ROSTER