Northshore head football coach Mike Bourg, like every other coach in America, doesn’t like giving away secrets.

But when it comes to offensive and defensive lineman Chris Faulk, well, there aren’t too many secrets to keep.

And that includes Bourg’s offensive game plan when it comes to important plays in close games.

“When it’s fourth-and-one and we’re playing Salmen and other schools and it’s crunch time, they’re going to know we’re coming behind Chris,” Bourg said. “But that’s our best bet at getting that yard.”

Faulk, HSGametime.com’s No. 9 Louisiana prep player for 2008, already has committed to LSU. Bourg thinks the Tigers’ coaching staff sees in Faulk what he saw in the youngster three short years ago during the lineman’s freshman season.

“He’s got great feet and great hands,” Bourg said. “That’s why he’s going to be a real good offensive left tackle. His skill level being that big doesn’t come around that often as far as on the offensive side. He could play defense, but he’s going to be special on the offensive side.”

Faulk became the first player in Northshore’s 27 years to commit to LSU to play football. It’s obviously something the 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman is proud of.

“It does feel good,” Faulk said. “I always try to stay humble about this process. It feels great to be the first to do this, the first to do that. It’s a great school. I’m proud of myself that I was able to accomplish this.”

According to Bourg, he should be proud of his accomplishment. The coach hopes it’s a sign of things to come for the school.

“Chris has a big part of that,” Bourg said. “We’re getting kids excited about what we’re doing. They see the benefits of what Chris has done. A lot of kids are looking for the next level and getting a scholarship.

“They now know that at Northshore, we’re here to help them do that. Chris has set that bar.”

Faulk always has wanted to put on the purple and gold. His father is from Baton Rouge and he grew up going to Tiger Stadium.

Suffice it to say, Tiger fever struck him when he was young.

“Just the atmosphere – I wanted to be a part of it,” Faulk said. “It’s really hard to explain. Every time I’d go up there, I’d have a good time.”

For Faulk, the pressure wasn’t in waiting on LSU to offer. Rather, it was always keeping his eyes open for college scouts no matter where he was playing or practicing.

“I’ve always wondered who was going to be at practice watching,” Faulk said. “It (committing early) took a lot f pressure off.”

So, how exactly did he fulfill a life-long dream?

It starts with his pass-blocking.

“I’ll go out on a limb – they’re going to have to be a pretty good defensive man to beat him off the corner,” Bourg said. “His hands are that good. He’s almost impossible to get around for a high school kid.”

Bourg added, “Sometimes it looks like he’s just playing with people. He’s just patting them.”

It’s that quickness that puts Faulk ahead of so many other big offensive linemen. Though he’s a giant, he’s a speedy one.

And his hands might be some of the best ones not in a position to catch the football. You could say he’s a skill position player in a big man’s body. Others already have.

“All the time,” Faulk said. “My junior high years, I was a receiver at 6-foor-4, 230-something pounds. I had good hands. I was the leading receiver in touchdowns and yards. I still believe in my heart that I can do that.”

Nevertheless, Faulk isn’t one to think he’s better than any of his teammates. Indeed, despite all of his early success, he still comes across as a humble teenager.

“I talk about him like I do because I love the kid,” Bourg said. “He comes over to the house. My kids love him. My wife loves him. He’s a great person. He deserves everything he gets.”