PAST: Vancouver College Fighting Irish
PRESENT: O'Hagan Field
FUTURE: University of B.C. Thunderbirds
In his senior year, Liam Mahara assaulted the record books of the countrys most acclaimed high school football program. The Vancouver College running back broke new ground in every rushing category possible.
The 32 touchdowns he scored in his final year catapulted him over the three alumni tied for the season record with 20 TDs each, and put Mahara in the books with the most career touchdowns. He has 40.
He set a new benchmark for career points (241) and points in a single season (198) and is in a three-way tie for the most points scored in a single game (30).
His 3,324 career rushing yards (also a record) were built on the single-game achievements of 314, 334 and 358 yards, each one an historic gain that set a new school record in 2012 and helped the Fighting Irish reach the AAA B.C. championships in December. His 2,786 single-season rushing yards (also a record) surpassed the 17-year-old mark by nearly 1,000 yards.
"I really had to work to get where I am today," he said. "I'm pretty proud of myself for doing what I did."
He was named the Fighting Irish MVP for 2012. Mahara built his success on so-called little things, the daily drills, extra reps and summer camps that make the biggest difference and helped him recover from injury.
The reward is an historic achievement at a school celebrated for its football pedigree. And he feels something more, said Mahara: "Satisfaction and fulfillment, knowing you went the extra mile and it paid off in the game."
Mahara's consistency most impressed the head coach of UBCs football team, and Shawn Olson envisions the running back as one of the best in Canada by his third year of CIS competition. "In our opinion, Liam was one of the best players in the province and exemplifies what we are looking for in a recruit," said the coach.
"I am very excited to see what he can do."
Twitter.com/MHStewart
