Wilcox, Dipko turns bad memory into big win

The best laid plans by Wilcox (Santa Clara) football coach Dan Brown were trampled and left in the dust by his team in a 42-7 victory at Los Gatos on Friday.

Brown had been preaching for weeks to the Chargers (7-1) to forget about their opponents, to focus on refining and polishing up their own game.

With as much brawn and experience, speed and talent as they had, everything would work itself out.

But then they traveled to Los Gatos. This is the program which ended its season last year, a 21-20 overtime loss in the Central Coast Section Division II semifinals. The same one that beat Wilcox 20-19 for the CCS crown in 2010.

"We definitely have history," Brown said. "I knew the kids would focus to a point, but down deep they had a point to prove."

Especially senior quarterback Kenny Dipko, who rushed for 155 yards and scored on runs of 54, 53 and 27 yards. Last year, on a 2-point conversion to decide the playoff game, Dipko kept the ball on an option instead of tossing to All-Metro back Delshawn Mitchell.

He was tackled a half-yard short and that's how the game and Wilcox's season ended.

"I didn't blame for not pitching," Brown said. "Kenny is a great athlete himself. He was trying to make a great play and came up just short. But I think he blamed himself a little and Friday he wanted to make amends."

All the Chargers did against a Los Gatos team that had won five straight under new coach Mark Krail.

Mitchell, the team's marquee 6-foot, 190-pound player, rushed for 145 yards and scored on runs of 50 and 65 yards. The three-sport standout — he's an all-league basketball player and ran the 400 meters in 49.40 seconds — has now rushed for 1,308 yards and 13 touchdowns.

"He's a pro-style back with great vision who hits the hole hard," Brown said of the four-year letterman. "He reminds me of Marcus Allen at the prep level."

With the combination of size and game-breakers, Brown recognizes this is a team that can play with anyone in Northern California.

"This is a special group," Brown said. "We got a bunch of big strong kids up front and some play-makers to take advantage."

Michael Holland, a 6-10, 320-pound tackle, sticks out in any line, and along with Timmy Raikadroka (6-3, 285), Jimmy Leatiota (6-2, 275), Jonathan Pohahau (6-1, 245) and Jonathan Herrera (6-3, 280) makes up one of the larger lines in Northern California.

Leatiota, a center, is the top player on the line and brother of former San Jose State standout Isaac Leatiota.

Sione Finefeuiaki, a 6-foot, 225-pound fullback and middle linebacker may be the team's best all-around player, according to Brown ("He's the real deal," he said.) and along with linebacker Benito Serrano, sophomore safety Manu Turituri, Leatiota and Mitchell lead a defense that has recorded three shutouts.

With upcoming wins over big underdogs Santa Clara and Saratoga, Wilcox will likely enter the Open Division playoffs, but with the CCS's point system, could wind up in Division II. If the latter occurs, it could be a serious state Bowl Game contender.

Brown, who assisted Wilcox for 12 seasons before taking over three seasons ago, said he's game for any of it. The Chargers' only loss was 27-20 to Milpitas which they followed up with a 42-39 win at Palo Alto.

"We don't fear anyone," he said. "We have a very good football team and we want to be tested at the highest level. … My ultimate goal is to take a group of Wilcox kids on a bus ride to Carson (Los Angeles County, site of State Bowl games)."

Brown, who played for Mike Holmgren as a player at Oak Grove (San Jose), also was a head coach at Del Mar (San Jose) and Sobrato (Morgan Hill). He's been around and seen a lot.

The Santa Clara Valley Athletic League's De Anza division has been one of the Bay Area's best for the last decade and dominated by the big four: Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Milpitas and Wilcox.

"Palo Alto and Los Gatos had the slight upper hand for a while, especially with Palo Alto winning state a couple years back," Brown said. "But I think Milpitas and Wilcox have edged ahead here lately. No matter what, it's great competition."

He's not overlooking Santa Clara or Saratoga to be sure.

"I have too much respect for those programs," he said. "You can't relax in this league one bit."