Mohler sacks odds

Shaun Mohler spent his childhood within punting distance of the football field at Bonita Creek Park, where his passion for the primeval elements of the game softened the edges of what was often a frustrating existence.

The oldest of two brothers in a single-parent home in which love trumped disposable income, Mohler never lacked for achiever friends, a ride to the beach, or a hearty meal cooked by his devoted mother Deanna.

But when not at home, or on the gridiron, the baseball field or the basketball court — where his prowess made him special — he was often the butt of jokes at school. He was additionally burdened by self-consciousness about having spent 10 years in speech therapy, and not being able to read or learn at the same pace as some classmates already targeted for the Ivy League and other prestigious colleges.

His soft-spoken shyness was often confused for contempt and/or arrogance and it wasn’t long before his willingness to fight back with his fists, put him in danger of expulsion from Corona del Mar High.

Through it all, family, friends, including a growing group of father figures, combined to fuel Mohler’s motivation to play college football; to overcome the learning disability that began with an endless string of ear infections as a child, and to one day earn a scholarship to a Division I school.

That goal remained out of reach when the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder left CdM, having earned All-CIF Southern Section honors (compiled from players in all 13 divisions). He was also the Newport-Mesa Defensive Player of the Year and represented the Sea Kings, for whom he played linebacker, quarterback, receiver, running back and punter, in the Orange County All-Star Game.

While some of his teammates went off to football programs at Georgetown and Florida, Mohler, who failed to qualify academically for a four-year school, landed at Orange Coast College.

Mohler’s impact on the Pirates’ defense, and opposing ballcarriers, was immediate and substantial. Starting every game at outside linebacker, he led the 12-team Mission Conference in tackles (108), and tackles for loss (15 1/2 ) en route to earning first-team All-National Division and second-team All-American honors.

The Pirates (7-4) earned a bowl bid for the second straight season and led the Mission Conference in scoring defense (16.5 points per game).