The 25th annual Alex Spanos All-Star Football Classic is scheduled Saturday, July 11, at San Diego Mesa College. The game, which is set for a 6 p.m. kick-off, pits graduated high school seniors from throughout the county in one final showcase game prior to departure for college.
The game is the longest-running high school all-star football game in California.
The South team is coached this season by El Capitan’s Ron Burner while the North team is coached by Mt. Carmel’s John Anderson.
The series, under the current format, is tied 10-10, though the South was won the last four meetings, including last year’s 21-17 victory.
The defending Metro-Mesa League champion Eastlake Titans have five players selected to compete in the game: Ronnie Sallee, Isaiah Strayhorn, Francisco Aguilar, Tommy Lopez and Santiago Andujo.
Sallee is headed to Grand Canyon University while Strayhorn is headed to Azusa Pacific and Santiago to SDSU. Aguilar and Lopez are both slated to compete for Southwestern College.
Other South County selections include Mater Dei Catholic linebacker Connor Finnestad, Montgomery offensive lineman/guard Ernesto Sanchez, Castle Park lineman Angel Juarez and Olympian running back Ed Galloway.
The Spanos Classic has served as a launching pad for several future NFL players. Chula Vista High School grad Donnie Edwards went on to perform for both the Kansas City Chiefs and Chargers, Castle Park alumni Moses and Zeke Moreno also both had playing stints with the Bolts.
Spanos Classic alumnus Jimmy Wilson (Point Loma High School) and Chargers defensive tackle Tenny Palepoi will serve as this year’s honorary team captains. Wilson along with Edwards, the Morenos, Morse alum David Dunn and ex-Point Loma standout La’Roi Glover will be honored in a pre-game ceremony along with Spanos Game organizer John Shacklett, a former coaching legend at Morse.
The game also will serve as the first official appearance of the 2015 Chargers Girls.
Tickets for the game are available at the gate and are $10 for adults and $5 for children. All proceeds go to support the High School Sports Association of San Diego.
For more information, visit www.Chargers.com.
