O.C. all-stars set to kick off annual showdown

North coach Joe Hay likes his defense.

South coach John Shipp likes his defense.

But something will have to give Friday night when the North and South clash for the 51st time in the Brea Lions Orange County all-star football game. Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m. at Orange Coast College.

Shipp believes the difference in the game could be offense.

"The team that takes care of the ball is probably going to be the team that wins," the Fountain Valley coach said. "Talent-wise, we're probably pretty evenly matched."

Turnovers and special teams played major roles in last year's game. The South blocked a punt and recovered a fumble in the first quarter and went on to post a 38-21 victory. The South led 31-0 at halftime.

The North, which leads the series 25-22-3, logged heavy minutes on special teams in practice this year. But the North's signature in practice was defense.

In its scrimmage, the North defense nearly posted a shutout, but Rancho Alamitos quarterback Mike Frank (6-foot, 170 pounds) tossed a late score to Cypress wide receiver Jared Cohen (6-1, 190).

"Our defense is pretty solid," said Hay, the former Garden Grove coach who was The Register's 2009 coach of the year.

Hay said several North defensive players have shined in practice. He has praised La Habra lineman Eric Padilla (6-3, 255) and linebacker Trevor Phillips (6-1, 210), Garden Grove nose tackle Joe Taufetee (6-1, 230), Pacifica defensive lineman Ross Pitsenberger (6-3, 260), Los Alamitos linebacker Michael Collins (6-2, 220), Garden Grove linebacker Zach Huff (6-1, 230), Cypress defensive back Jeremy Davidson (5-8, 160), El Dorado defensive back Brock Dunn (5-11, 175) and Cohen at cornerback.

Hay has been thrilled with Orange Lutheran two-way lineman Preston Pemasa (6-1, 225), who will play center and defensive line.

"Pemasa is a phenom," said Hay, who will serve as defensive coordinator.

Shipp said his team's strength might be at defensive line. Mission Viejo end Marc Millan (6-2, 210) has been a force in practice. "Marc Millan is a stud," Shipp said.

Millan will have plenty of help. The North's defensive line also will feature Fountain Valley's Ulisese Ianu (6-2, 260) and Anthony Vega (6-3, 280), Westminster's Emerson Aiava (6-2, 300), Tesoro's Erik Nelson (6-2, 215) and Dana Hills end Zach Alario (6-2, 205).

"Our defensive line play has been exceptional," Shipp said.

The South defense will also feature Mission Viejo All-County safety Jake Marshall (6-1, 200), whom Shipp said will play on both sides of the ball.

Teams have traditionally struggled to run the ball in the all-star game. In 1998, future NFL running back DeShaun Foster of Tustin was famously held to 22 yards on 15 carries but caught a late touchdown pass to help produce a South victory.

Hay hopes his team can establish a ground attack but believes the North offense will need to be balanced. "I don't think running the ball is going to win this game," he said.

Both teams are expected to employ spread offenses and feature several talented wide receivers. The South has high-profile quarterbacks in All-County pick Matt Viles (6-3, 190) of Edison and Josh Dean (6-2, 205) of Dana Hills.

"I'm really impressed with both of them," Shipp said. "The kids will stand in the pocket and throw the ball, and that's what we need."

The South passed for an all-star game record 287 yards last year.

"I think they're going to air it out a little bit," Hay said of the South.

The North features dual-threat quarterbacks in Garden Grove's Sean Young (5-11, 200) and Kennedy's Andy Peterson (5-11, 175). While Young and Peterson were known for their running ability, Dean and Viles can be elusive, too.

"(The media) is calling us underdogs but I think it will be a good matchup," North running back Damani Wilson (5-9, 180) of Orange Lutheran said. "It won't be like previous years with the routs we've seen."