ON THE PREP PATH / BARBIE LUDOVISE : Aw Shucks, Knuff Is Just Happy to Play

David Knuff, an extremely modest sort, would like it very much if you would stop reading this now.

That’s right. Turn away, turn the page, read anything--Dear Abby, the want ads, the back of a Wheaties box, some tea leaves--anything as long as it isn’t about David Knuff, Mater Dei linebacker and tight end.

Oops, sorry David. Revealed a bit of your identity there, didn’t we? Well, at least we didn’t tell the folks at home that not only are you one of the best players on the team, you’re also senior class president, a great baseball player, and the sharp-looking dude who makes the daily announcements on MTV (Monarch TV, that is).

Oh, there we go again, letting on about your accomplishments. Guess you’re probably blushing by now. You’re probably red as, well, red as those new blood-red uniforms the Monarchs were modeling Thursday night.

You remember Thursday night, don’t you, David? When you and your teammates, ranked third in the county, knocked off No. 1 Mission Viejo, 42-7? When you helped slash and burn the Diablos until they were dazed and confused? When you accounted for a couple of sacks, numerous tackles and that very impressive interception that you took in 16 yards for a touchdown?

C’mon David, don’t be upset; it’s not like we’re making this up. As in the Bible, it is written. Anyway, we’d be willing to bet there’s a half-zillion Mater Dei fans out there that would like to relive the memory.

Put simply, Thursday night made Mater Dei’s day. The 4,500 or so Monarch fans crammed into Santa Ana Stadium were wild, riled, not the least bit mild. They screamed and shouted while some Diablo fans pouted--cursing anyone who ever said parochial schools belong in public leagues.

Had Mater Dei fans decided to start a wave, the stadium surely would have capsized. As it was, they were dancing in the aisles, bumping to the thumping of Diablos down below. Like a boom box, the Monarch defense blasted Mission Viejo with a deafening beat. We believe the lyrics went something like this:

“We’re No. 1, we’re No. 1, baby, baby, baby, we’re No. 1..!”

OK, so it wasn’t exactly Ice T.

Anyway, by game’s end, even the ball boys were boogieing. And on the sideline, Knuff was being congratulated by his adoring public--teammates, coaches, pint-sized David Knuff wanna-bes, everyone who again recognized how important the 6-foot-3, 200-pound team captain is to his team.

(Brace yourself, David. This next part might be tough for you to take).

This season, Knuff leads Mater Dei in receptions (27 catches for 422 yards and two touchdowns), is second in tackles (27 unassisted) and has two interceptions. He’s the leading punter (36-yard average), and hasn’t made a mistake as holder on PATs.

Plus, he’s the only Monarch who ever gave Coach Bruce Rollinson a bloody nose.

OK, so it was just a scratch--and an accident at that. After his interception return for a touchdown Thursday, Knuff rushed toward Rollinson, who was rushing toward Knuff. Ka-boom! A congratulatory collision: Knuff’s facemask with Rollinson’s nose. Yee-oow.

Rollinson didn’t hold it against him, and why would he? Rollinson’s convinced that Knuff--a boy with great leadership qualities--will be the President of the United States some day. And you wouldn’t want the President mad at you, would you?

Knuff didn’t play football before high school but found his way into the starting quarterback position on the Mater Dei sophomore team two years ago. He earned the position with a performance during a summer passing-league game against--guess who?--Mission Viejo.

The Monarchs were trailing by a couple of touchdowns, Knuff remembers, and sophomore coach John O’Shea asked if there was anyone who could throw the ball. In a rare public display of self-assurance, Knuff raised his hand and said he’d like to try.

Knuff was shown a pass play, trotted onto the field and promptly threw a touchdown pass. And then another. He didn’t display perfect mechanics by any means, but it worked. And that season, he led the sophomores to a 10-0 record.

Now, considering that Mater Dei isn’t exactly Ho-Hum High when it comes to football, Knuff must have dreamed of leading the Monarch varsity someday, right? Hoped to be Mater Dei’s main man? Hoped to throw that last-gasp pass to bring glory to the Monarch kingdom?

Not even close, Knuff says. He hates the spotlight. Besides, he knew all along Billy Blanton was the man. He’d seen his rocket arm, watched his winning ways, watched him be promoted to varsity at the end of their freshman year.

Still, when he was asked to try out for the varsity quarterback corps last year, Knuff quietly did as he was told, working with the coaches to change his slightly sidearm mechanics, trying not to listen to the part of his brain that said he would be better off at a different position. That finally became reality when the coaches moved him to linebacker/tight end early last season.

Rollinson admits it was a mistake, not converting Knuff sooner. He credits Knuff for making do, for adjusting to the new positions without previous experience, for epitomizing the team player.

Knuff says he’s just happy he got the chance to play. Holding the clipboard wouldn’t have been too much fun, anyway.

Besides, the spotlight would have been unbearable.

Barbie Ludovise’s column appears Sunday and Wednesday. Readers may reach Ludovise by writing The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, 92626 or by calling 966-5847.