LAGUNA HILLS – The atmosphere was as loose, fun and playful as ever as the South All-Stars held their final practice Thursday at Laguna Hills High.
But it was clear the players and coaches, after three weeks of practice, were ready for the Brea Lions Orange County All-Star Game on Friday night at Orange Coast College.
“Thing is, we’re all just ready to play,” said South coach Mike Maceranka (Laguna Hills). “It’s a long time. A long time of getting ready to play one game. … It’s like you’ve been practicing against each other for so long you just need to get out there and do something different.”
Every player on the South roster seemed to be looking forward to a night of big-time competition to complete their high school careers.
“I have high expectations with this team,” Mission Viejo receiver Jason Lee said. “We have a lot of talent out here ready to play, and we’re going to come out tomorrow and show it.”
Quarterback Neil Boudreau (University) was already looking at his all-star game experience with some nostalgia.
“It’s going to be bittersweet,” Boudreau said. “Moving on up to a better program at (San Diego State), but at the same time, high school football is a little bit more lax, and it’s all about football and fun. You get to SDSU and it’s a little bit more business-like. There’s a lot of money involved in the program. People’s jobs are on the line depending on how well or not well you do.
“It’s definitely going to be fun. I’m looking forward to my last game in the Uni helmet.”
Maceranka was confident the South team’s players wouldn’t treat Friday’s game as a throwaway exhibition that is all for fun.
“It’s about being competitive,” Maceranka said. “They didn’t come here just to line up and be introduced before the game. They’re going to go out there and try to win.”
FINAL CAPTAINS NAMED
The South coaches selected the team’s first two captains last week, Huntington Beach lineman Kristian Crabb and San Juan Hills linebacker Tim Newman, and the players voted on the final two captain spots.
The offensive players chose Boudreau as their second captain, and the defense chose JSerra linebacker Kyle Adams.
