Mesa’s Smith added to South All-Stars roster
Costa Mesa High senior running back Mario Smith has been added to the South roster to play in the Brea Lions Club’s 53rd annual Orange County North-South Prep All-Star Charity Football Game at Orange Coast College on July 6.
Smith, a standout bound for Southwestern Oklahoma State University, replaces JSerra’s Jonavaughn Williams, who is leaving early to train with UNLV, said South Coach Rick Gibson.
Smith joins four other locals competing for the South squad, including Newport Harbor High running back Titus Hasson and defensive end Steve Michaelsen, Corona del Mar wide receiver Josh Giger and Estancia defensive tackle Alipa Peters.
Smith, a transfer from Silverado of Victorville, rushed for 2,155 yards and 28 touchdowns on 197 carries in his only season with the Mustangs.
He earned All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division and Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Dream Team honors. He was named the Orange Coast League MVP, and he made the All-Orange County third-team offense.
Smith soon became known as “Super Mario,” and he backed that up by putting up video-game-type numbers. In a 63-47 win at Laguna Beach, he scored seven touchdowns and rushed for 356 yards. The seven rushing TDs were a Costa Mesa single-game school record.
That wasn’t the only record he broke.
Smith broke Charles Chatman’s 29-touchdown total established in 1994. Smith set a Costa Mesa single-season school record for total touchdowns with 30, two coming on kickoff returns.
Costa Mesa (8-3, 4-1 in league) contended for a league title in the regular-season finale and returned to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2010 on the strength of Smith’s running.
The South team has set its schedule for practices.
At Irvine High, the South team will practice: June 5-7 — 6-8 p.m.: June 12-13 — 6-8 p.m.; June 22 — 6-8 p.m., June 25 — 6-8 p.m., June 27 — 8-10 p.m.; June 28 — 6-8 p.m.; June 30 — 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; July 2-3 — 6-8 p.m.
The South team practices at Alton Park in Irvine July 5, 5-6:30 p.m.
— Steve Virgen