North QBs ready to show they belong

GARDEN GROVE – They didn't play for one of the high profile programs in Orange County. And they don't possess the size to make college football scouts drool.

But Mike Frank, Andy Peterson and Sean Young have used a special summer assignment to show they belong on the field with the best.

The trio of North quarterbacks for the Brea Lions Orange County all-star football game have impressed during practice and hope to open more eyes in Friday night's game at Orange Coast College. Kickoff is 7:15 p.m.

"Even though we're from the Garden Grove League and not from Servite, we have just the same talent," Young said. "Everyone is here for a reason."

Young and Frank hail from the lower-division Garden Grove League, where they were rivals in football and basketball. Young starred at Garden Grove while Frank was an athlete of the year for Rancho Alamitos.

Peterson is from Empire League member Kennedy but easily fits in with the trio. He is a scrappy player in the mold of Young and Frank. All three also played in spread offenses in 2009.

"These guys are all good," said Willy Puga, the North offensive coordinator and new coach at Garden Grove.

Young (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) and Peterson (5-11, 175) are dual-threat quarterbacks. Both can hurt defenses with their arms and legs.

In the fall, Young rushed for 1,442 yards and passed for another 1,644 to help lead Garden Grove to the CIF-SS Central Division championship game. He was selected the division's co-offensive player of the year.

Peterson gained 749 yards on the ground last season and 2,005 through the air.

Young and Peterson are so athletic, they have also played wide receiver during all-star practices.

"We're trying to do everything we can," Peterson said.

The muscular Young also could see time at running back and safety against the South, who also have a pair of athletic quarterbacks in Matt Viles from Edison and Josh Dean from Dana Hills.

Young is headed to Orange Coast College but isn't sure on what side of the ball he'll play.

"I'm either going to play running back or safety or maybe slot," he said.

Peterson knows what his position will be next year. He expects to be at second base for Santa Ana College, so Friday could be his final football game.

Peterson has already played about 15 baseball games this summer for the Dons.

Frank (6-0, 170) is the pocket passer of the trio. In Rancho Alamitos' no-huddle offense last season, he threw for 2,813 yards and 33 touchdowns. In the North scrimmage last week, Frank tossed the lone touchdown by connecting with receiver Jared Cohen from Cypress.

"My job is to come in and throw the ball," Frank said.

Frank is athletic, too. In basketball, he played point guard and faced Young on both ends of the floor. He also played center field in baseball.

Frank has already started his transition to Golden West College.

But for all their success, the trio has appeared highly motivated in practices. They've seemed eager to first impress their teammates.

"The Garden Grove League doesn't get a lot of respect," Frank said. "But it's good to come out here and show them ... what we can do."

They hope to deliver the same point to the South.

"One more chance," Peterson said.