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When Angelo Turo is lined up in the backfield, he repeats the voice of his father, Geno, in his head. Geno says to hit the hole at 100 miles per hour and immediately get downhill. Since he was 8 years old, Turo, his four older brothers and Geno woke up at 5 a.m. five days a week to train.

Geno — a former Division I running back at the University at Buffalo — grew up without running water, electricity, toilets and a finished house. He didn’t want the same for his children. So, he put them through intensive workouts early in their lives.

“I wanted to make sure that (my children) had some discipline and structure,” Geno said. “I think that it’s important for young men to do something hard every day.”

Turo’s physical development has allowed him to be one of the most dominant forces in central New York football. After playing his first two high school seasons at Mexico High School, he transferred 15 miles down the road to Central Square High School in 2023. The running back has totaled 2,769 yards and 33 touchdowns on 294 carries in his two years with the Redhawks.

Central Square teammates were instantly mesmerized by Turo’s coyness despite his 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame.

“We all met him, and we were all kind of shocked because he was just an animal. His size and the way he looked was shocking. But, he was very quiet, so we didn’t really talk to him,” Central Square quarterback Jack Hite said of Turo.

Before he dominated at Central Square, Turo nursed an MCL injury entering his junior year.

It prevented him from participating in preseason activities, but he eventually returned when activities ramped up. His transition to his new school was smooth, yet challenging.

“I had to work hard, and I knew my dad had prepped me and said I had to earn my place, which I did,” Turo said.

Once he returned to full strength, Turo excelled on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he notched 1,020 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 77 rushing attempts. As a linebacker on defense, he totaled 67 tackles and a sack.

The Redhawks finished 6-1 in the regular season but ultimately lost to Corcoran 20-18 in the 2023 Section III Independent Division I Bracket Quarterfinal game. Despite the loss, Turo’s touchdown run taken from Central Square’s territory is still talked about by teammates.

Dakota Dorsey | Design Editor

On the offensive side of the ball, Turo strives to be a downhill runner. Defensively, his mindset remains constant.

“(Turo) is a very physical kid,” Central Square head coach Jeff Ryan said. “He’s definitely not scared to hit, and he will run sideline to sideline to make that play happen. He is very willing to pursue the football, and that’s where a good chunk of his tackles come in. He just doesn’t give up on the play.”

Playing both sides of the ball and nearly every snap hasn’t been an issue for Turo. Geno attributes this ability to their training. Ryan said he, at times, must put his foot down to get Turo off the field. He joked that Turo often ignores him because of his desire to stay in the game.

His mentality led to an incredible senior campaign. Turo totaled 1,749 yards and 23 touchdowns on 217 carries while accumulating 93 tackles and forcing four fumbles.

In a win over Nottingham, he delivered a signature six-touchdown performance. Turo’s four older siblings, Dante, Isaiah, Marcus and Bo, were each All-State players — which Turo first achieved in 2023. The family’s single-game touchdown record was five. The record is now permanently his.

Amid multiple D-I offers, Turo’s focus remained on helping the Redhawks reach the Class A Sectional Championships.

“Everybody has their own goals, but my goal is to win it all,” Turo said. “I don’t think it would make sense to shoot for anything less. My goal right now is to get to the (JMA Wireless) Dome.”

However, Central Square fell 48-0 to Corcoran in the semifinal. Still, Turo left a lasting legacy on the program. And Geno believes there’s no limit for his son.

“Angelo is definitely bringing me joy in regards to that because he’s going to be better than his dad,” Geno said. “And I love that.”

Published on November 12, 2024 at 9:41 pm

jaglick@syr.edu