Orange County All Star Game: Top Offensive Performances
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On Saturday, some of the top senior football players in Orange County gathered at Newport Harbor High School to play in the 62nd annual Orange County North-South All Star Classic. The South won the game 30-17 to win its seventh…
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Continue ReadingOn Saturday, some of the top senior football players in Orange County gathered at Newport Harbor High School to play in the 62nd annual Orange County North-South All Star Classic. The South won the game 30-17 to win its seventh consecutive matchup between the two teams.
Everyone got to play in the game and it was clear why these players were selected to represent their schools. But some players stood out. Here is a breakdown of the top performers from each team in the game:
NORTH
Tobey Schmidt Tobey Schmidt 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Marantha | 2022 CA , Tustin
Schmidt had limited practice time because he is an All-League player on Tustin’s basketball team, but he appeared to still have lots of chemistry with the team’s receivers. I always knew he had an arm and was accurate to all three levels, but his athleticism was on full display Saturday. He scrambled to avoid the pass rush very well and made big plays down the field. He is headed to Wagner and has a chance to get some playing time there early.
We are incredibly proud of our 5 guys who represented Tustin Football last night in the OC All star game. Great job boys, Tillers for life! #TustinFootball #AllStars pic.twitter.com/LWz4v4o12y
— Tustin Tiller Football (@Tiller_Football) February 6, 2022
Jackson Christie Jackson Christie 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Villa Park | 2022 CA , Villa Park
Christie led the North in rushing yards with 64 on 10 carries. He was able to get to the edge quickly and make some big plays for first downs. I asked a player from the North pregame who impressed him that he didn’t know before and he mentioned Christie. I’ve always thought he was a good route runner out of the backfield and I like that a coach can find multiple ways to get him the ball.
Villa Park is back in the game! After a Jackson Christie rushing touchdown, Spartans get fancy on a good PAT. 21-7 Broncos with 5:20 left in the first half. pic.twitter.com/147kPvq4Yg
— SBLive California (@SBLiveCA) September 25, 2021
Lucas Ambuehl, Esperanza
Ambuehl was the best pass blocker on the North offensive line in my opinion on Saturday. He was throwing around edge rushers and is so physical in the running game. He and Carter Bessire of La Habra really held it down on the left side of the offensive line and were instrumental in the North’s offensive attack. Ambuehl is headed to Northern Arizona on a PWO.
Was an honor to play and represent north oc in the north vs. south oc all star game on the 5th. It's crazy knowing that was my last high school game. pic.twitter.com/7VAqFpGPw0
— Lucas Ambuehl (@AmbuehlLucas) February 9, 2022
Mikey Welsh, Servite
Welsh had an incredible catch in the fourth quarter that set up a touchdown run by his teammate Houston Thomas Houston Thomas 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Portola | 2022 CA . He is one of those receivers who finds ways to get open regardless of the coverage and can make big plays on scrambles when the play breaks down. The aforementioned catch was a 30-yarder in traffic that drew a big reaction from the crowd and the opposing coaches on the South sideline.
Final high school game in the books for these guys! 🏈 📚 #Credo #GoFriars #OCAllStarClassic pic.twitter.com/tuJohCRZDb
— Servite Football (@ServiteFootball) February 6, 2022
SOUTH
Braden Pegan Braden Pegan 6'4" | 200 lbs | WR San Juan Hills | 2022 State CA , San Juan Hills
Pegan was a late addition to the South roster and was pivotal in the win. He had two touchdown catches, one of them he was very well-covered and he used his muscle to get the ball away from the defender and walk in for the score. He was a tough matchup for the North team to cover in man coverage and if he had practiced with the team more, he would have gotten more reps and had an even bigger game. Pegan is headed to UCLA.
#2 @bokellyy to @bradenpegan 14-10 South @ocvarsity pic.twitter.com/nNlipTFaKQ
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) February 6, 2022
Bo Kelly (Dana Hills) throws a TD pass to Braden Pegan (San Juan Hills). Kelly headed to Cal Poly. Pegan going to UCLA.
South 7, North 0 with 2:21 left in the 1st. @PrepRedzoneCA @ocvarsity @bokellyy @GregBiggins @SouthOCsports @ocvarsityguy @MAlvarez02 pic.twitter.com/Q6Ot5I7gGg— Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) February 6, 2022
Bo Kelly Bo Kelly 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Dana Hills | 2022 State CA , Dana Hills
Kelly was named the MVP of the game for the South team and was making very good throws leading his receivers in stride throughout the game. He was able to extend plays with his legs and show off his athleticism as well. He threw two of the three touchdown passes for the South and was one of the clear leaders of the team. The other players seemed to gravitate toward Kelly and enjoyed having him in the game.
✌🏽out highschool football..
thank you to @FrithRobert and the @sjhhsfootball staff for a great experience. pic.twitter.com/caD2NPUqNF
— Bo Kelly (@bokellyy) February 7, 2022
Jalen Jones Jalen Jones 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH Santa Margarita | 2022 State CA , Santa Margarita
Jones was a standout player for the South because of his ability to make big plays after the catch. He had 88 yards on three catches with the vast majority of those yards coming after the catch. He caused matchup problems for the North defense and his strength is getting open on routes over the middle. He picked up an offer from Princeton this week.
Santa Margarita is up next with some flashy new helmets. Ethan O’Connor, Niko Lopez, Hero Kanu and Jalen Jones. Kanu is a top 100 player in the country. @ocvarsity @SMCHS_Football @PrepRedzoneCA pic.twitter.com/hUqk2jIgEX
— Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) August 6, 2021
Rashad Beckham Rashad Beckham 5'11" | 270 lbs | OL Mission Viejo | 2022 CA , Mission Viejo
Beckham was one of the better offensive lineman for the South squad. He picked up interior blitzes well and got a pretty good push in the running game. He was a guy that coach Rob Frith mentioned when I asked about linemen who impressed him and he delivered. He isn’t the biggest guy in the world at 6-feet tall and around 270 pounds, but he drives his legs and has an excellent motor. Cole Clemmer of Corona del Mar also had a solid game on the offensive line for the South.
https://twitter.com/ThomasHaney2022/status/1490398835138457601?s=20&t=dzFW2UQ7KhMFesNRTO9wfQ
Kenny Manassero Kenny Manassero 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Mission Viejo | 2022 CA , Mission Viejo
Manassero came through with big plays on the ground exactly when the South needed them. It seemed for awhile that there was a lull in the game and the offense was stalling, and then Manassero would escape for a big play to kick some life into the offense. He had a big run that set up a field goal and a big touchdown run to ice the game for the South squad in the fourth. He has good vision and can turn on the jets when getting into the open field. Cal Lutheran offered him this week and I expect him to commit there soon.
Not bad for your first interview kid. 😎
Reporter @annacconnelly talks with our player of the game @KennyManassero after an impressive night in a @missionfootball victory!#GOTW | #SoCal | @CIFSS pic.twitter.com/nKW6yeRKVt
— PrepZone (@prepzone) September 4, 2021
.👀@KennyManassero to the house for ‘revenge’ TD, 1:23 left to seal the South’s 30-17 win @ocvarsity @missionfootball pic.twitter.com/L9eSU9tPkr
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) February 6, 2022
Other top performers:
Justus Thongphrachanh, Brea Olinda
Tomas Ramirez, Cypress
John Tipton John Tipton 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Corona Del Mar | 2022 CA , Corona del Mar
Broghan Daley, Dana Hills
Trent Leicht, Huntington Beach
Cameron Goods, Irvine
Ethan Rooney, San Clemente