Live and Learn : Servite’s Vollers Hopes to Teach Mater Dei a Lesson This Time

It’s hard to imagine Kurt Vollers being nervous about anything. When you stand 6 feet 8 and weigh 280 pounds you tend to put others on edge.

But last year when the Servite football team played Mater Dei, Vollers was apprehensive.

It was only his second game with the Friar offensive line in his third year of football. His assignment? Block Mater Dei defensive lineman Brad Williams, who would eventually be named The Times Orange County lineman of the year and accept a scholarship to Notre Dame.

“It was an experience,” said Vollers, recalling the game Mater Dei won, 10-7. “I think I played all right. I know I learned a lot from that game.”

Vollers, 17, and a senior, gets one last opportunity against Mater Dei tonight at Cal State Fullerton. The Monarchs and Friars, both 4-0, are ranked first and second in the county and also cracked the Cal-Hi Sports state top 10. Mater Dei is ranked second behind Concord De La Salle and Servite is seventh.

Tonight, Vollers will line up at defensive end, and he hopes to be the one teaching lessons.

Vollers admitted he is not the most graceful athlete, but his size and strength caught the attention of college coaches. He committed to Notre Dame in September, and will be the fourth Servite football player to attend the university. Jimmy O’Hara, Steve Beuerlein and Chris Kvochak, who played one season at Servite before moving to Oregon, are the others.

Vollers’ strength is, for the most part, natural. He didn’t begin training with weights until last summer.

“I wish I started earlier,” said Vollers, who can bench-press 350, squat 500 and power lift 300 pounds.

He’s doing just fine, according to those trying to figure ways to neutralize him.

“We were watching the film of their Esperanza game,” said Dave Money, Mater Dei’s offensive coordinator. “He made this play where he took the tight end down to the ground, put the offensive guard on the ground, then tackled the back who was running a sweep his way. Amazing.

“He causes lots of havoc. He will be the best defensive end we have seen to this point. You have to respect him, but you can’t do so much to stop Kurt that you forget about Dan Coats, their end on the other side. Both are excellent.”

Vollers is definitely a big reason Servite is undefeated despite its rigorous nonleague schedule. Their victories have come against Esperanza, Irvine, Santa Margarita and Fountain Valley, all of which have spent time in the county’s top 10.

Vollers transferred to Servite at the beginning of his junior year.

“When he came here he was very raw,” Friar Coach Larry Toner said. “I don’t know how much [football] discipline he had before, but gradually he got used to the rigors of the program. Now he is one of the leaders.”

Vollers said Servite is more than a school to him, it is practically a second home; he spent his freshman year at La Canada St. Francis and his sophomore year at Carlsbad Army-Navy Academy. He lives in Whittier.

John Vollers, Kurt’s father, attended a boarding school as a youngster and he wanted his son to have the same experience.

“But I missed my family too much,” said Vollers, who is one of five children.

Servite seemed the right fit.

“I just love it,” Vollers said. “The coaches have taught us discipline and techniques. It’s amazing how much you can change in two years.”

If it hadn’t been for a growth spurt between his sophomore and junior years--when he went from 6-4 to his current height--Vollers might still be playing his favorite sport, baseball.

“My freshman year my friends and family urged me to go out for football,” Vollers said. “But I hated it. I was still growing into my body and I was very clumsy.”

As a 6-2, 185-pounder at St. Francis, Vollers played nose guard on the junior varsity. At the Army-Navy Academy, he played linebacker. When he reached Servite, the Friar coaches switched him to lineman. Offensive or defensive line? It doesn’t matter to Vollers.

“If I’m on offense, I’m calmer,” he said. “On defense, I’m a wild man.”

Vollers said it will be difficult to stay relaxed tonight. The Mater Dei game “will be the biggest game so far in my career other than the Division V final [last season],” he said.

While he has a healthy respect for the Monarchs, Vollers said he is not in awe of them, the way he was last year.

“They’re really explosive,” Vollers said. “Their wide receivers will be the best we have faced. Their quarterback is much better this year than he was last year, and they have another great [offensive] line to go against.

“I think I felt their mystique last year, but not this year. Maybe because I’m a senior with a little more experience.”

Not to mention that size and strength.

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MATER DEI VS. SERVITE

Featured Game

When: 7:30 tonight.

Where: Cal State Fullerton.

Records: Mater Dei (4-0); Servite (4-0).

Rankings: Mater Dei No. 1; Servite No. 2.

Noteworthy: If you don’t already have tickets, forget it, the game is sold out. Both teams are talent-laden and high-scoring, so something will have to give. Mater Dei’s defense, which was impressive during three consecutive shutouts, was dented last week during a 35-30 victory over Irvine. Vaquero quarterback Jared Flint completed 18 of 25 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns (68, 27 and 11 yards). In a Week 2 loss to Servite, 35-19, Flint completed 18 of 32 passes for 227 yards but no touchdowns. Mater Dei leads the annual series, which began in 1961, 19-14-2. The teams played to scoreless ties in 1970 and 1992. The Monarchs, who rallied to win last year, 10-7, have not lost to the Friars since 1988.