Kai Mault gathered a San Marcos punt at the 18-yard line, sliced his way through oncoming tacklers, weaved around vicious blocks and eventually broke free into the open field for an 82-yard touchdown return.
The electrifying play set the tone for a 35-0 Santa Barbara High victory over San Marcos in the 63rd annual Big Game on Friday night at Peabody Stadium.
“I got the ball and just started running into blocks. The blocks lined up and the whole team did the play until the very end,” said Mault, who was named the 2023 Gary Blades Memorial Big Game MVP after sharing the award with quarterback Abel Renteria last season. “Downfield blocks are what made it possible for me to score on that play.”