Tracy Press

 
Tracy players make a winning team for 35^th Annual Lions tournament Saturday.

Tracy High quarterback Justin Evans was named most valuable offensive player at Saturday’s All-Star game. Bob Brownne/Tracy Press

The annual All-Star game recognizes the top seniors from high schools in the northern San Joaquin Valley and Foothills and gives them one more chance to play with and against their best high school rivals. Saturday’s outcome stretches the North team’s winning record for the All-Star game at 21-13-1.

The Lions awarded Tracy quarterback Justin Evans with the most valuable offensive player trophy. He traded off quarterback duties with Josh Bowen of Weston Ranch High, and relied on his teammates Tim Celestine of Tracy and Tyler Kenton of West High to move the ball. The North team also included wide receiver/defensive back Andrew Diaz of Tracy High, and Scott Carillo of West High and Stephen Perriera of Tracy held down offensive line duties.

Evans said afterward that he set his sights on the game’s top awards as soon as he knew he would be on the all-star team, and intended to put in an effort worthy of the trophy.

“It feels good. That was my goal coming in and it worked out,” he said. He and the other players had only a week to learn how to run plays together, and they came into Saturday’s game with only a general idea of what they were up against with the South team.

“We came out and it was a lot faster-paced. You keep hoping that they’ll do what you think they’re going to do. Fortunately we were ready for it.”

Tracy High coaches led the team. As the players celebrated their win at midfield head coach Mark Stroup thanked them for their efforts in practice and at the game.

“After spending a week with you guys I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” he told the players.

The North team started off Saturday’s scoring when Evans passed to Nigel Malone of Sierra High for the first down on the 1-yard-line early in the first quarter, and Evans pushed in for the touchdown on the next play.

North scored again at the start of the second half with a pass to Anthony Dials of Lincoln High, and again with 1:16 left in the second half on a Josh Bowen pass to Edison High wide receiver Trumaine Johnson. South scored before the close of the half as Cody Ball of Modesto high ran the ball from midfield into the end zone.

South started to make its comeback in the fourth quarter as the team’s offensive line gave quarterback Ryan Torkelson of Davis High plenty of time to find his receivers. South scored a touchdown early in the fourth, and North countered with another touchdown pass to Johnson.

With 6:00 left on the clock the South team’s Surriel Briggs of Beyer High ran the ball back to the 10-yard line to set up the touchdown pass from Torkelson to Trevor Schardijn, also from Davis. The point-after from Keith Yamamoto made it a 27-21 game.

South then forced a punt, but North defensive back Chris McGinnis grabbed the ball for an interception putting North in control of the end of the game.

The Lions also awarded Trumaine Johnson of the North team with the Most Valuable Player award for his performance Saturday, including the two catches that he carried into the end zone for touchdowns.

Other awards went to Frankie Pineda of Beyer High, South team, and Nick Ortiz of Manteca High, North team, for most inspirational players. The most valuable defensive player was J.J. Terry of Golden Valley High and the South team.

• To reach Sports Editor Bob Brownne, call 830-4227 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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