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The practice field on the west side of the Buena Park High football stadium was a mishmash of colors and logos. The uniforms and helmets reflect their differences.

Make no mistake, the players on the Brea Lions Orange County All-Star Game roster know each other well. In some cases, very well.

Nine players, or 25 percent of the North roster, was pulled from the Freeway League. With a talent like All-County running back Jacob Fimbres (Sonora) in their ranks, many are glad that he’s finally on their side.

“Obviously, Jacob Fimbres is one of the best backs in Orange County,” Buena Park coach Anthony White said. “We’ll be able to showcase that in a game.”

White is heading the North All-Stars. The last time that White and Fimbres shared the same field in a game, Buena Park pulled out a 56-51 victory in November. Fimbres rushed for 307 yards and added 87 yards receiving in that game.

Fimbres posted a school record of 2,373 rushing yards to go with 39 total touchdowns in 2016. He is happy to hear that league rivals such as White think highly of him.

“I feel honored just to know that I have respect from coaches from other schools,” Fimbres said.

THEY’RE FAMILY NOW

Buena Park’s football program has been very successful with White at the helm.

Right now, he wants to be just as successful in getting the North All-Stars opportunities to play at the next level. White said that he was proud of the roster that he and his staff put together, saying that his players were hungry to represent their end of the county.

White added that the coaching staff has reached out to a multitude of colleges to try to bring attention to the showcase, which will be held on Friday July 8 at Orange Coast College.

“They’re very intrigued,” White said of the North players. “It’s never too late (to continue playing).

“Here at Buena Park, we always work for our student-athletes, and that’s what we’re still trying to do. Now that they are on our field, we consider them our family, and we do whatever we can for them, too.”

IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE

The Brea Lions Orange County All-Star Game has partnered with several charity organizations in an effort to assist youth in need.

Orange County All-Star Game Charity Chairman Fred de Avila works closely with Western Youth Services, a non-profit organization that focuses on the mental health and wellness of the community.

“Western Youth Services has been involved with the game for close to 25 years,” de Avila said. “Our goal every year on this side of the business is to get more ads and more people in the stands.

De Avila called the Brea Lions organization a “utility infielder” because it helps a variety of groups in need. All of the proceeds from the game will go to youth in Orange County.

“At Western Youth Services, most of the school-based programs support K-12,” de Avila added. “These are kids that are in need, kids that are suffering physically and emotionally. They don’t get a chance to be part of an All-Star Game.

“They don’t get picked up when someone knocks them to the ground. They’re on the ground to stay unless we pick them up.”