38th Annual Ventura County High School All-Star Football Game

Tonight, our son Michael and I ventured out to Moorpark H.S. to witness yet another sign of the unofficial start of Summer, the playing of the 38th Annual Ventura County High School All-Star Football Game.

This contest brings together the best senior players from the 30 high schools that are members of the Ventura County Football Coaches Association for their final performance in front of the local fans before moving on with their lives and/or college football careers.

West in Red, East in White

Rio Mesa DB, Michael Thomas, West's #17

Rio Mesa WR, Marcus Alford

Marcus, who is headed to Northern Arizona University on a football scholarship, is seen here after scoring the West team's first TD as a result of his 91 yard reception and strato-streak to paydirt!

Nice pants.

Michael Contreras with

Hueneme H.S.'s Albert Miranda

Albert, listed at 6'3" and 295 lbs., was the Vikings only player in the game. Mike tutors him at Hueneme and is very proud of his academic progress.

The Rio Mesa Contingent

Flashing the "W" for West sign

From left to light: DB Michael Thomas, QB Blair Benchwick, DL Clarence McBride, WR Marcus Alford, FB Frank Fassl and OL John Tagum

I was very proud of their overall performance and in this photo you can see Marcus Alford holding his West Team Offensive MVP Award.

Frank Fassl was the recipient of a All-Star Student Community Service Scholarship as well.

Good Job Spartans!

Sunset over Moorpark H.S.

Another game was in the books with the East winning this year by a tally of 31-21. It was a good night of football and, for me, a fun evening getting a chance to see a lot of my old coaching buddies on the sidelines.

1974 East Team Picture

I was actually an assistant coach for this team in the 1st Annual Ventura County High School All-Star Football Game way back in 1974 when I was coaching at Thousand Oaks H.S.

I've also had the opportunity to coach in this game as the East team head Coach in 1980 and as a West team assistant coach in 1990 and again in 1994.

Well, Summer is here, we wrap up Spring football practice next Tuesday and then start our 7-on-7 season next Saturday back at Moorpark H.S. again. While the "skill" players are competing in all facets of the passing game, our linemen will be grunting and straining in the Hogs Tournament. Both events are sponsored by the Ventura County Football Coaches Asssociation and are worth the price of admission (free), especially the climactic Hogs Tournament Tug-of-War.

"LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"