As teenagers and best friends, they confessed their dreams to one another, collectively craving an opportunity to one day inhabit the glorified world of big-time college football they regularly worshiped through the television screen and in newspaper accounts. On their boldest days, they allowed themselves to forecast a future as collegiate teammates, strapping it on and living out their dream.
But those dreams, temporarily, gave way to reality.
Burgner, then a 5-foot-11, 230-pound defensive lineman who amassed a school record 36 sacks in three varsity seasons, was not offered a Division I-A opportunity and signed at Division I-AA Georgetown, where he shifted to fullback.
Mohler, who would have attracted scores of Division I-A scholarship offers, failed to qualify academically for a four-year school and embarked on football future at Orange Coast Community College.
More than two years later, Mohler, a two-time JC All-American who twice led the Pirates in tackles as a 6-3, 225-pound outside linebacker, was a blue-chip recruit fielding mail and phone calls from a who’s-who of college football programs.
After initial commitments to Cal, then Nebraska, a coaching change at Nebraska prompted him to reconsider yet again. He eventually was wooed by the University of Colorado, with which he signed in December of 2007.
Burgner, meanwhile, was souring on Hoyas Coach Kevin Kelly, whom, he said, was less than supportive of his players during the 2-8 season in 2006, then a 1-10 mark in 2007.
Burgner played in 16 of those 21 games (missing time with a concussion) for the Hoyas. He carried 12 times for 26 yards and one touchdown in his two seasons there and also managed seven tackles in defensive duty as a freshman.
While Burgner bounced his discontent at Georgetown off of family members, Mohler began chirping in his ear about a prospective pairing in Boulder.
