North, South All-Stars ready to battle

Los Alamitos coach John Barnes is undefeated in all-star games with a 4-0-1 record.

His son, Brian, is undefeated in games against his father. Thanks to a 23-7 victory in a Pac-5 first round game last year.

The two will meet again Friday in the 50th annual Brea Lions Orange County North-South Prep All-Star Football Game.

John Barnes will coach the North while Brian (Tesoro) will lead the South with their perfect records on the line.

Game revenue benefits several charities, including the PADRE foundation, Western Youth Service and the Orange County Youth Foundation.

The North has won the two previous meetings, including last year 12-10, when Chris Morales connected with Christian Daniel on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 56 seconds remaining in the game.

"We made a deal that we would only go eight days (of practice)," Brian Barnes said. "If you can't get it done in eight days, you probably don't deserve to play the game."

The teams assembled for practice June 29 and went through their final preparations Thursday night.

"We have a bunch of great kids, great character kids," John Barnes said. "We've put in everything we wanted."

The game is filled with some of the top talent from the county. There are 24 all-county players in the game, with both teams having 12 apiece.

Getting them all on the right key has been the challenge for the coaching staffs.

"I think we've come along real well," Orange Lutheran and North defensive lineman Mike Arakelian said. "I think it is going to be a defensive game and I think we're going to be ready."

Both defenses will certainly be faced with their share of concerns once the game begins.

The North will have to contend with the South's spread offense, led by quarterback Robbie Picazo and a standout group of receivers, which includes a pair of 6-5 receivers in Gavin Escobar (Santa Margarita) and Nicalaus Powell-Calhoun (Segerstrom).

On the other side, the South will have to find ways to slow the quick North skill players, like Ronnie Hillman, Greg Portis, Tubotein Taylor and Darryl Jenkins.

The North offense will be led by dual-threat quarterbacks (Clark Evans and Kane Wilson).

"They're both tough kids," Brian Barnes said of the North quarterbacks. "But, I'm excited about the way that our defense has been practicing and if we can do our job, then I think it will be tough on them (the North)."

Evans passed for 2,173 yards and rushed for 840 last season and Wilson passed for 1,592 and gained 837 on the ground.

"They're both tough to tackle," Tesoro and South linebacker Scott Graves said. "Our defense is solid. We should be able to shut down the run, especially with guys like Chris Robinson and Nik Abele on our defensive line."

Related:

 
• Fryer picks the North to win … 
• Breaking down the O.C. All-Star game 
• O.C. 30 best football all-stars 
• Football poll: Pick your offensive player of the game 
• Football poll: Pick your defensive player of the game  
• North insider: Anaheim boys Cruz, Portis reunite 
• North practice insider: offense makes plays 
• South insider: Tustin's Chris Robinson ready for Friday 
• South insider: Nik Abele is just scary 
• Checking out the North All-Star team 
• Checking in on the North all-stars (Thursday's practice) 
• Football: Checking in on the South all-stars (Wed practice) 
• Band of football brothers heading to West Point 
• Barnes at ease in job at Tesoro

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com