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Two decade-long streaks will collide in the Orange County North vs. South All-Star Football Classic on Saturday at Newport Harbor High.
The South enters the annual game for seniors riding a 10-game winning streak in the series. The North will seek its first victory since a 12-6 triumph in 2014.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at gofan.co.
The North coach, Michael Echaves of Troy, has described the team as a “blue-collar built” unit.
“We are excited to compete,” Echaves said Thursday. “The motivation for all of the players, I believe, has been the desire to represent the school and community they come from.”
“We have some amazing programs in the North and we’ve done our best to represent most of it,” the coach added. “We’re excited to see it all come together.”
The North squad is expected to be represented by more than 20 different schools.
Esperanza’s Travis Frazier will start at quarterback for the North, Echaves said.
The South team, led by Trabuco Hills coach Mark Nolan, will also be represented by more than 20 different schools.
San Juan Hills’ Timmy Herr will start at quarterback for the South, Nolan said.
Nolan said several players have impressed in practice. He said the standouts include San Clemente defensive lineman Josh Kearst, Aliso Niguel defensive lineman Corey Lewis, Santa Margarita linebacker Vai Manutai and JSerra linebacker Rocco Tompkins.
“These guys love to compete,” Nolan said of the South. “(We’ve had) great practices and great meetings.”
The South won 14-7 last year to extend its lead in the series to 36-26-3.
Frazier’s twin sister Ellie Frazier will start for the North in the second annual O.C. all-star girls flag football game at Newport Harbor at 4 p.m., North coach Jimmy Valverde of Esperanza said.
Santa Margarita’s Madi Lam is expected to start at quarterback for the South, South coach Jason Guyser of Newport Harbor said.
The all-star games are organized by nonprofit Costa Mesa United and sponsored by the Chargers.
