The All-Star football game provides action

TRACY – Fans attending the Lions’ 48th All-Star football game Saturday night probably weren’t expecting much from the recent graduates.

After all, the players had not been on the pitch for over six months and with temperatures above 15 degrees at kick-off, that was, let’s just say, not exactly a recipe for fantastic football.

On the other hand, who can say what makes a high school football game exciting?

Los Banos High’s David Herrera found Central Catholic’s Trace Hernandez in the back of the end zone with four seconds left to give the South All-Stars an 18-15 victory in a game dominated by Merced High defensive end Jalonn Booth, who operated like a one-man demolition force all night.

The North’s stars remained scoreless for much of the game, but two touchdowns in the fourth quarter – the second coming with 1:15 left on the clock – gave the North a 15-12 lead.

Hughson’s Larkin Meyer took the ensuing kickoff and returned it to the North’s 46-yard line with 1:08 left.

After a sack and some poor time management trying to start the next play, Herrera fought his way to the 25-yard line with a few seconds left and set up his game-winning touchdown pass to his longtime friend Hernandez.

According to Cal-Hi Sports, the receiver finished the game with six catches for 106 yards and three carries for 10 yards. Herrera, the Western Athletic Conference MVP, completed 10 of 17 passes for 133 yards.

Booth, meanwhile, recorded five sacks and nine tackles … and would have been capable of at least four more sacks if not for the nifty footwork of St. Mary’s quarterback Samson Hunkin. In one instance, Booth was able to make a takedown but collided with another defender, allowing Hunkin to escape and run 29 yards to the 16.

But who chased down Hunkin and made the touchdown-saving tackle?

Booth, that’s who.

“This is nothing new,” said Shawn Jansen, a veteran reporter for the Merced Sun-Star who has covered Booth for four years. “He does this all the time.”

The Central California Conference MVP, who has played on the varsity team since his freshman season, was named the game’s defensive MVP, while Hunkin took home the offensive MVP award.

Enoch’s Aiden Muhammad (13 carries, 77 yards) was named the home game’s Most Valuable Player, although no one was quite sure why the award did not go to Booth.

“We knew he was going to be named MVP of the game,” said Hughson head coach Shaun King, who was co-head coach of the South team with Central Catholic’s Roger Canepa. “So we didn’t nominate him as the most inspirational player, to be honest. And he is an inspiration.”

Booth didn’t care. He was just happy to be able to play football again.

“It was a great ball,” said Booth, who said he can’t wait to play next season. “We’ll see what happens. I’m looking forward to talking to the coaches and making a decision.”

Several coaches and teammates were asked what came to mind when the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Booth’s name was mentioned.

Meyer: “Dude! MVP! I wish I could play with him more.”

David Delgado of Hughson: “Animal! The fact that he’s not going to college is a problem. All these DI programs need to start contacting him now and making him an offer.”

Owen Wilson of Turlock High: “Crazy! I thought (Turlock’s) Logan Durkee was kind of crazy, but he’s on a whole other level. He played really well.”

Canepa: “The guy should play college football. He has a great drive and I can identify with a guy like that. He was unstoppable.”

Hughson High linebacker David Burns: “Dude! The guy is an All-Star and I think he deserves the MVP for the whole game with five sacks and so much pressure. He was the defense tonight. He’s a great guy, always full of energy and in a good mood.”

Tim Garcia, Central Catholic’s offensive coordinator and former college quarterback: “He was the best player on the field, there’s no doubt about it. Physically, he just dominates the game. He’s really intelligent, football savvy, a great teammate and has a great attitude. The sky’s the limit for this kid.”

Billy Hylla, Central Catholic defensive coordinator: “That’s what the recruiters missed. Clearly. We’ve been playing him for four years. What the recruiters told me this year was they thought he didn’t have the size to be on the edge and he didn’t show the agility to play in coverage. And after spending a week with him … they’re wrong. He should be playing college football. His school should be paying. He’s a natural. And he’s a great kid. … He’s a great teammate and so enthusiastic and positive about everything.”

Hughson’s assistant Chris Wolfley: “Corvette! I mean, he’s just special. He’s fun to train and be around. I just told him, ‘God has big plans for you.’

Booth himself no longer sees himself as anything special.

“It’s just will,” Booth said. “The will to be better than somebody else and beat the guy in front of you. I make it a rule to do my job and not let my teammates down. I’ve got ten guys counting on me. I can’t let them down. That’s all that matters.”