Homer Mauga knows he's at the end of an era, yet there is no feeling of sorrow. When Homer jogs onto the field tomorrow night at Mt. Carmel High, he will be toting a sense of pride.

“I'll be the last of the Mauga brothers to play in a high school football game,” said Homer, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound defensive end from Helix.

Homer will lead top graduating seniors from the South against the best from the North in the Alex Spanos All-Star Football Classic.

“Carrying on the family tradition in a game of this caliber is an honor,” Homer said. “Most of my family will be there watching me, and that only adds to my incentive to look good.”

Football bloodlines run deep in the Mauga family, where six brothers played the sport in high school.

The youngest, Homer and twin Hutch, are planning to continue their careers at Grossmont College.

Magnum Mauga, who played for Helix and Grossmont College, is projected to make an impact at Utah State in the fall.

Dallas Mauga, a dominating defensive lineman at Helix, Grossmont College and Sacramento State, is trying to land a spot in the Buffalo Bills training camp this summer. Dallas played in the 2000 Spanos Classic.

Rainbow Mauga (Helix, Grossmont College and Sacramento State) participated in the 2001 Spanos game.

Ben Mauga played high school football at Serra.

“I'm so proud of my family,” Homer said.

According to Helix assistant coach Jason Texler, Homer is beginning to find his niche. In his only season of varsity football at Helix, Homer was recognized as the Grossmont South League Defensive Player of the Year.

“Plain and simple, Homer just took over the game – just dominated out there,” Texler said. “He's so fast coming off the edge.”

Homer moved to Helix after H-Town closed its doors following his sophomore season. He was relegated to playing for the Highlanders' league champion JV team as a junior because of transfer rules.

“I think that is why a lot of colleges were not aware of him,” Texler said.

Homer has qualified academically to attend a four-year school. He hasn't received a major college football offer, though Penn State has expressed interest. Homer has received scholarship offers from Idaho State, Sacramento State, Portland and Troy (Ala.) State – Football Championship Subdivision schools (formerly Division I-AA).

Homer believes a season or two at Grossmont College will enhance his chances of attracting other scholarship offers.

At Grossmont, Homer is planning to play outside linebacker. Texler believes his collegiate future will be as a fullback.

“Homer should be able to bulk up to 230 without losing a step and still hit like he's 250 pounds,” Texler said. “Not that blocking is all he can do. He's an agile guy with 4.7 speed who can catch the ball.”

It's nice to have options.