Area High School Football All-Stars Get Final Chance to Shine

Some of the Sacramento-area’s brightest football prospects competed Saturday at .

At least 75 players from 37 different high schools participated in the 55th Anniversary Optimist All-Star Football Game in which the North All-Stars took on the South All-Stars. Sacramento-area Patch communities were well represented in the game with 17 players from 14 schools in seven towns. Elk Grove had 11 players and the head coach representing seven schools while Fair Oaks had five players and the head coach from two schools.

The North squad won this installment of the annual game in a close 21-18 game. Mike Dimino of Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks coached the North All-Stars.

Dimino said his team’s performance could only be described as awesome.

“They showed a lot of heart because the game went back and forth all night,” he said. “They were behind, came back and kept trying hard. They made big plays.”

There were four lead changes in the game. The South had a quick 9-0 lead at the end of the first quarter after wide receiver Anthony King of Franklin High School in Elk Grove made an excellent catch in the end zone for the touchdown.

King made three highlight reel catches in the game and will be attending Eastern Washington University in the fall.

While the North settled down in the second quarter, Kennedy kicker/punter Aaron Novoa helped the South regain the lead when he connected on a field goal to make the score 12-6.

In the third quarter Natomas running back Jakori Ford made what would be the play of the night to help the North squad get back in the game.

Ford took a punt in what seemed to be no-man’s land, was able to reverse the ball to the other end of the field, found some open room and took the ball 88 yards for a touchdown as the North led 13-12 with 13:41 left in the third quarter.

Ford said his team had to make a play quickly in order to stop the South’s momentum.

“It was the second half, we were down by one when we should have been up by four,” he said. “I knew I just had to make a play to turn the tide.”

Pleasant Grove head coach Joe Cattolico’s South squad would not give up that easily, though.

The South regained the lead thanks to Laguna Creek running back Don Jackson who caught a pass for a touchdown with 9:18 remaining in the third giving the South an 18-13 lead.

However, Dimino’s team would take the lead back and for good with just one second remaining in the quarter.

Rocklin quarterback Jimmy Laughrea converted a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line which lead to a two-point conversion bringing the score to 21-18.

Laughrea, who is headed to Boise State University, said he was happy to be part of the game. 

"I was just out there having fun, we played as a team, our offensive line did good,” he said. “It was just a fun experience.”

Both teams played sloppy in the fourth quarter. There were three turnovers in the quarter, two by the South.

Cattolico said that was the difference in the game.

“With the 15 minute quarters, it is a long game,” he said, “Sometimes the kids aren’t in as good of shape as you’d like them to be or they’d like to be.”

Cattolico said he had a great time coaching. 

Del Campo linebacker Jordan Botha said it was an honor to be in the game.

“I had a great time playing tonight with my coaches being on staff for the last game,” he said. “I’m definitely going to miss playing high school football but now it is on to the next step.”

Rosemont High School linebacker Joseph Fatu said it was fun just playing football even if the South lost. He felt his teammates bonded quickly and had no confusion on the field.

“That’s why we practice, man,” Fatu said. “Practice helps us get on the same page. We just kept practicing and practicing.”

Dimino said that is something that does scare the coaches.

“I was hoping the players that we picked all showed up to practice because sometimes they don’t,” he said.

From the fans in the stands, the PA announcer in the press box, the players and coaching staffs, everyone had a fun time.

“I enjoyed it a lot because it was with a bunch of guys that I have never played with before. I just read about them, heard about them, seen them on the Internet,” Ford said. “Now we’re a family. We got each other’s numbers, Facebook, we’re good.”

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Players and coaches from Sacramento-area Patch site communities:

NORTH TEAM ROSTER

Jordan Heine, Bella Vista, LB; Nick Duarte, Del Campo, DL; Jordan Botha, Del Campo; Matt Phillips, Del Campo, OL; Nathan Nordquist, El Camino, OL; Jaylen Mason, Del Campo, OL; Beau Smith, Roseville, WR. Head coach – Mike Dimino, Del Campo

SOUTH TEAM ROSTER

Joseph Fatu, Rosemont, LB; Anthony Enriquez, Rosemont, QB; Anthony King, Franklin, WR; Chase Zamora, Elk Grove, WR; Maurice Tally Jr., Cosumnes Oaks, DB; Delvonte Hunt, Laguna Creek, DL; Don Jackson, Laguna Creek, RB; Jeff Huston, Pleasant Grove, DB; Drake Tofi, Monterey Trail, RB; Daniel Hrin, Jesuit, RB; Alex Vieira, Rosemont, DL; Josh Brinkworth, Sheldon, LB; Cody Mariner, Franklin; Peter Smith, Davis, DE; Kyle Stafford, Pleasant Grove, LB; Eben Smart, Rosemont, OL; Patrick Rockwell, Jesuit, OL; Mike Bishop, Laguna Creek, OL. Head coach – Joe Cattolico, Pleasant Grove

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