SACRAMENTO, CA -- High school football fans flocked to Grant high school to watch some of the best players from the Sacramento area take on a team from the East Bay in the 4th annual Holiday Classic.
The Sacramento team will feature 45 players from 30 area schools. The offense will be coached by Del Oro's Casey Taylor, Grant High's Mike Alberghini will lead the defense.
"It is fast," explained Nevada Union Miners quarterback Broughan Jantz when describing his teammates. "It is fun, but it is harder because you are with a group of guys who have a higher play level."
This week at practice it was a bit strange for many of the players who are now on the same team after battling each other all season long.
"We are friendly, but there are still a few grudge matches," said a smiling Del Oro Golden Eagles running back Bryce Pratt. "A lot of people are talking out here, remember that game when we scored, remember that game when we stopped you."
For others, the Holiday Classic is bitter sweet because it is the final football game of their high school career.
"It is an honor to be here," said Rocklin Thunder running back Jackson Cummings. "We are just lucky to play another week of football."
"It means a lot, this game is going to be fun, " added Lincoln Fighting Zebra tight-end JJ Castillo. "It is going to be great, going to leave it all on the field."
And many see the Holiday Classic as their last chance to showcase their skills and talents to college recruiters.
"I'm just going to go out and prove to scouts and show what talent I got." Grant Pacers running back Devontae Butler told News10. "I'll show them what I got, and hopefully they will be recruiting me."
The East Bay team will feature players from Bay Area schools including De La Salle, Berkeley and Pittsburgh.
The Holiday Classic is this Saturday at Grant High School. Kick off is at 2 p.m. The game will be live-streamed on news10.net and a webcast will be available on wannaplaycollegesports.com.
By Ryan Yamamoto, RYamamoto@news10.net
SACRAMENTO ALL-STAR TEAM
QB
Nevada Union Broughan Jantz
Oak Ridge Connor Benander
RB
Grant Devontae Butler
Woodcreek James Nunley
Del Oro Bryce Pratt
TE/HB
Lincoln JJ Castillo
WR
Fairfield Alex Hubbard
Pioneer James Tillman
Rocklin Holden Huff
Rocklin Jackson Cummings
Granite Bay Ian Rhodes
C
Rosemont Brian Reid
Sheldon Bryan Gates
OL
Grant Adrian Hill
Ponderosa Connor Raines
Rio Linda Alex Khan-Watson
El Dorado Ian Joseph
Inderkum James Alon
Del Oro Travis Doupnik
Elk Grove Lefi Latuligasenoa
Florin Sione Fanaika
DT
Burbank Victor Amerson.
Jesuit Josh Hines
Oakmont Alex Gaines
NG
Lincoln Jacob Tryon
DE
Inderkum David Weider
Monterey Trail Sione Sina
LB
Chrisitian Brothers Ekenna-anyugafu
Franklin Cody Galea ILB
Casa Roble Justin Hayden
Rocklin Daniel Lessard
Granite Bay Ashkan Mizani
Monterey Trail Rozale Byrd
Del Campo Ryan Dimino
Grant Robert Isaccs
DB
Rio Linda Cameron Mikell
Burbank Terrance Mitchell
Casa Roble Scott Patalano
El Camino Myron Baldoz-Mccarn
Bella Vista Anthony Serena
Grant Ronald Fields
Pleasant Grove Jalen Saunders
Del Campo Orland Ortiz
Monterey Trail Jay Flury
K/P
Davis Chase Brunson.
EAST BAY ALL STAR TEAM
QB
Albany Andrew Spivey
Washington David Ross
RB
DLS Terron Ward
Berkeley Ricky Galvin
Alhambra Richard Calhoun
FB
Ygnacio Patrone Wood
WR
El Cerrito Isaac Goins
Pittsburg Robert Jiles
St. Mary's Najee Lovett
Deer Valley Kristoff Williams
James Logan Jonathon Willis
TE
St. Mary's Cameran Davis
San leandro Lenny Jones
C
San Ramon Valley Brandon Grinstead
Freedom Daniel Marcel
OL
Encinal Jonathon Murphy
Castlemont Deandre Ward
Freemont Sinilau Tauteol
California Max Schultz
Deer Valley Miles Tillman
Deer Valley Clyde Ignot
Clayton Valley Jonathon Carlson
Alameda Emilio Garcia-Sanchez
DL
Oakland Tech Fred Thompson
Castlemont WILLIAM STREAM
McClymonds David Taiese
Washington Cedric Lousi
DE
Fremont Sione Tupouata
Berkeley Aaron Norton Buford
James Logan Kalafitoni Pole
Ygnacio Thomas Patolo
LB
Pittsburg Jeremy Wiles
Berkeley Keenan Coogler
Riordan Evan Ward
Clayton Valley Vince Buhagiar
Oakland Tech Ryan Murphy
Amador Valley Dalton Turay
DB
Encinal Tyrone Duckett
Oakland Dave Douglas
El Cerrito Andre Williams
Pittsburg Tracy Clark
Concord Forrest Hightower
California Reggie Davis
Bishop O Dowd Mario Brown
Berkeley Delency Parham
DLS Tyler Anderson
Oakland Demonte Horton
Deer Valley Brandon Williams
K/P
Foothill James Langford Cal Poly
News10/KXTV