By Lacy Cano
Staff Writer
Mira Costa hosted the 49th annual West Torrance Lions Club All-Star Football game at Waller Stadium on Jan. 28. Five Mustangs were chosen to compete in the game.
The chosen Mustangs were seniors Joe Markus, Raphael Lawson-Gayle, Wyatt Millea, Connor Riley and Cory Sanicky. The Mustangs, along with other Bay League teams like Palos Verdes, West Torrance and other local teams and players, helped lead the blue team to a 43-14 victory over the white team, which consisted of players from Narbonne, Lawndale, Leuzinger and other local high schools.
“The game was a good time for everyone and a great opportunity to play some more football after being out of season for a while,” running back Sanicky said. “It was really fun, especially to play with such a great bunch of guys.”
The selection process of the players consisted of nominations from the high school coaches around the South Bay. The nominations were then sent to the El Segundo head coach Steve Shevlin, who decided who went on the roster. Each team had 37 players from 11 different schools and only had seven practices to prepare for the game.
“From coaching this game, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some incredible kids,” Shevlin said. “They’re all so talented and have had such a great work ethic for this game. [The players] can do all the things you try to coach, so it’s great to have the opportunity to coach the best of the best.”
North Torrance senior Mikey Jurado scored the game’s opening touchdown for the white team. Lawson-Gayle responded with a touchdown for the blue team. The subsequent two-point conversion put the blue team ahead 8-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Carson senior Kendall Sparks scored the white team’s final touchdown of the game in the second quarter. However, the white team suffered numerous fumbles and interceptions, allowing the blue team to dominate with touchdowns from Lawson-Gayle and Inglewood senior wide receiver Terrance Harvey. The half ended at 22-8 in the blue team’s favor.
“The game was definitely a nice send-off for the seniors,” Markus said. “It was great that a few of us got to play with each other for one last time and to end our year with a win.”
Redondo senior Nick Usher scored another touchdown for the blue team after a fumble by the white team. Palos Verdes senior Adam Hahn had an interception and 58-yard return in the third quarter for the blue team. Sanicky scored the final touchdown in the fourth quarter, ending the game with a blue team victory of 43-14.
“It was a great experience overall,” Markus said. “I liked getting to work with the different coaches and competing alongside such high-caliber players.”
The All-Star game offers players the unique experience of becoming teammates with many of the players they face off against during the regular season.
“It was interesting playing with guys who were my opponents for so long,” Markus said.
The purpose of the game is not only to celebrate the outstanding players, but also to provide funds for various charities throughout the South Bay and give South Bay high school students college scholarships. Over $800,000 has been contributed throughout the game’s history from ticket sales.
“I couldn’t have been happier with the kids’ performance,” Shevlin said. “From the moment the whistle blew, they were on top of their game and working hard.”
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