When Santa Fe Christian pulled off a stunning 7-7 tie at Helix last season, the buzz among Highlanders coaches was the dominating play of Eagles defensive end Mario Kurn.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Kurn was relentless that September evening in La Mesa, dropping Helix ball carriers almost at will.
“That guy just killed us,” Highlanders offensive coordinator Jason Texler said. “No matter where we tried to go, (Kurn) was there.”
Kurn plans to take a similar stance for the North in tonight's Alex G. Spanos All-Star Football Classic at Mt. Carmel High.
The USD-bound Kurn will shift to defensive tackle tonight to accommodate North head coach Damian Gonzalez's 3-4 alignment.
“It's definitely a different challenge moving from end to tackle,” said Kurn, who with Horizon outside linebacker Isaia Falo are among nine Division IV players on the North roster. “Just from practice I know the guys I'll be going against are about three inches taller and 70 pounds bigger.”
Is Kurn intimidated?
“Naw,” he said. “I can beat them with my speed. I know those big guys don't get out of their stance as quickly as I do.”
Kurn doesn't believe he has anything to prove. Neither does Falo.
“Those two guys (Kurn and Falo) have been super impressive,” Gonzalez said. “Yeah, they come from smaller schools, but they are kicking butt against everyone from the large schools. They are just fearless out there.”
Hardly the prototype linebacker at 5-9 and 218 pounds, Falo ranked at the top of the San Diego Section as a senior by averaging more than 16 tackles per game.
“I'm looking forward to finally getting a chance to show people what I've got,” said Falo, who plans to attend Grossmont College in the fall. “To me, playing in this game is not about proving a point. It's just an honor to be on the same field with all the guys from the bigger schools. Just knowing I've been picked among the best in San Diego says something.”
Kurn agreed.
“I suspect they will overlook me, and I'm used to that,” said Kurn, who noted he is the first player from Santa Fe Christian to participate in the Spanos summer game since 2001. “I'm going to get after it, go out there and have fun. I know what I can do. But more than that is I feel that I have to do a good job representing my school.”
In a game last September against El Centro Central, Falo made a remarkable 24 tackles.
“I was playing both ways (doubling as a running back) that night,” Falo said. “Now that I'll be playing only defense, it should give me more energy. I know that will be the case in this game and I plan to go all out every play.”
