Kelli Saunders
Staff Writer
Mira Costa seniors Jordan Fischer, Alec Oshita, Jordan Lacey, and Wade Widmer were thrown the opportunity to be on the South Bay Lions All Star football team.
The team consists of 35 players nominated by the coaches of their respective high school teams. It is directed by the head coach of the El Segundo High School football team, Steve Shevlin.
“It was such an honor to be selected for this team,” Oshita said. “This opportunity validated that my hard work in practice and games during the season was all worth it.”
Photos: West Torrance All Star Game
The players on the team have proven themselves in practice and games to be capable of playing at a higher level, Mira Costa’s head football coach Don Morrow said. Each coach handpicks seniors who are then evaluated by the coach of the all star team to create a cohesive team.
“Being selected for the All Star team felt really good because it made me aware that my efforts were being recognized,” Fischer said. “It was also another chance to play more football with my teammates.”
The All Star team has seven two-hour practices two weeks before they play in a game against the other South Bay All Star team. The game has been hosted by the West Torrance Lions Club since 1965 and the proceeds from the game are donated to charities or go towards benefitting the community.
“This game is a great reward for the players’ outstanding seasons,” Morrow said. “It’s a legendary game that has been played for decades and every year it gives players the chance to showcase their skills.”
The practices consist of learning a new playbook that differs from the one that Mira Costa uses currently. The plays are read differently, and the players have had to adjust from plays identified by names to numbers, Oshita said.
“The practices are laid back and everyone is friendly,” Oshita said. “It’s cool to be on the same team and get along with the people that you’ve been playing against for the past four years”
Daily Breeze: Blue team dominates 53rd West Torrance Lions All-Star football game
The players are given the opportunity to show their skills to college recruiters while playing in the All Star game. It will be held on January 21 at Mira Costa’s Waller Stadium with the kickoff at 6:10 p.m.
“This game gives seniors that have not had as much notoriety the chance to impress colleges,” Morrow said. “They are able to use this game as another chance to show that they are capable of playing at a higher level.”
Leave a Reply