Orange County All-Star game likely to return to summer
For the past two seasons, the Orange County North-South All-Star Classic high school football game was played in January in an effort to get more players with football scholarships to participate. Prior to that, the game was always played in…
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Continue ReadingFor the past two seasons, the Orange County North-South All-Star Classic high school football game was played in January in an effort to get more players with football scholarships to participate.
Prior to that, the game was always played in the summer, June or July particularly.
The game is now organized and managed by Costa Mesa United, a youth sports support group.
“We are a group of people who believe in the importance of athletics for the youth of our community. We believe youth sports of all kinds teach immeasurable values that translate not only into the classroom, but into life, creating future leaders and positive contributors – as well as drawing new families – to our community,” as stated on the Costa Mesa United website.
“We want Costa Mesa kids to get the most out of their athletics experiences. To that end, we are devoted to improving the quality of sports fields, facilities, and equipment throughout the city.”
Ron Amburgey, Second Vice President of Costa Mesa United, told Steve Fryer of the Orange County Register that the group is considering May as a target month for the game to take place.
The announcement came after CIF announced it has suspended its rule that banned all-star games during the season of the sport. This means that the game could technically still take place in January, but the football season is expected to occur from January through March and would conflict with a game at that time. It is highly doubtful that high school coaches would allow their players to participate in an all-star exhibition game during the season.
For over 50 years the all-star game took place during the summer before Costa Mesa United assumed control of the game two years ago. The Los Angeles Chargers have been a major sponsor of the game for the past few years, even before Costa Mesa United took control of the game management.
The game will be held at Orange Coast College as it has for many years.
On Tuesday, NBC Sports Group announced that the 2021 All-American Bowl football game for high school seniors was canceled.
The game was set to take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. NBC Sports Group said the game will not be played “due to health and safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Several California players were slated to participate in the All-American Bowl including Mater Dei linebacker and LSU commit Raesjon Davis Raesjon Davis 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2021 State CA .
“It’s been a dream of mine my whole life to play in that game,” Davis told Fryer. “Hopefully I’ll be able do something else, like the Polynesian Bowl or something.”
The Polynesian Bowl is still scheduled to occur on Jan. 23 in Hawaii. Davis’ teammate Ross Maseuli Ross Maseuli 6'3" | 335 lbs | OL Mater Dei | 2021 State CA is also invited to play in the Polynesian Bowl, but the game takes place right in the middle of Mater Dei’s regular season. Mater Dei opens it season against Muir of Pasadena on Jan. 21. TJ Patu TJ Patu 6'3" | 210 lbs | DB La Habra | 2021 State CA of La Habra is also invited to play in the Polynesian Bowl.
The first All-American Bowl was played in 2000 and was known for awhile as The U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Mater Dei quarterback and now Alabama quarterback Bryce Young was named the game’s MVP last year.
NBC still will broadcast “All-American Bowl: Declaration Day.” The show will have 100 All-American players announcing or discussing their college choice.
The National Combine that usually occurs the same week as the All-American Bowl will also not take place this year.