Whenever the Mary Star High football team needs a big play to happen, they normally get it from one guy in particular wearing a certain number of 22.

In past years, it would be former two-time All-Del Rey League selection in Jake Tedesco, who would return kickoffs and punts, break off a big run, or turn a screen pass into long gains, and in most cases, he would end up in the end zone for the Stars. Tedesco was also known to intercept a pass here and there on defense too.

This time taking that role of two-way play-maker is one of San Pedro Prep Football's brightest young talents in junior RB/WR/DB Vinny Lauro, who leads a group of several talented two-way players on a team that narrowly missed the CIF-Southern Section Northwest Division playoffs last year with a 4-6 overall record, going 3-3 in the Del Rey League.

"I believe out 2014 season is going to be great," says Lauro, who ran for 200 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns, caught five passes for 127 yards for three more touchdowns, and on defense he also posted 41 tackles with an interception. "The guys and I have been working hard and are very dedicated and very excited for this season."

In just his sophomore season, Lauro was able to provide three worthy highlights, such as rocking a punt returner from St. Anthony with a hard hit that caused a fumble on impact, and catching a 35-yard touchdown pass to ice a stunning blowout victory over St. Bernard, but there was one highlight in particular from last year that stood out...

"My kickoff return to open up the second half against Don Bosco Tech," Lauro recalls.

On that particular play, Lauro took the ball off a high bounce of the Daniels Field grass, and bobbled it some as he started to run with it, but he was quick to gather the ball, leaving a huge hole up the middle, which allowed him to return the kick 85 yards for a touchdown to put the exclamation point on the Stars' 40-16 victory.

Mary Star is young, and currently 0-2 thus far this season after a 49-48 loss to Santa Clarita Christian, but make no mistake about the resolve and fight of these Stars, and especially Lauro.

"I think it is going to be a challenge, but once the games starts everyone gets an adrenaline rush and I believe it won't bother me," Lauro says on playing both ways. "But if it does affect me, I will do whatever it takes to fight through it and help the team."

Lauro rushed for three touchdowns for the Stars in the loss to Santa Clarita Christian.