Roll Call

BARRY FAULKNER

COSTA MESA - After nearly three weeks of preparation for tonight’s

41st Orange County All-Star Football Game, set for kickoff at 7:15 at

Orange Coast College, Dana Hills High Coach Scott Orloff believes his

South squad is ready to beat the top graduated seniors from the North for

the fourth straight year.

He is, however, also hoping for something unprecedented for his Rebel

players -- perfect attendance.

“We haven’t had a practice yet where everyone has been here,” said

Orloff, who despite sporadic absences and a near-33% turnover from the

original 36-man roster, feels good about a Rebel contingent that includes

three players with Newport-Mesa District ties.

“My sense is that the kids we have are gamers,” said Orloff, who will

not have the services of 11 players originally selected to compete.

Among those not in uniform is the late Andre Stewart, a record-setting

Newport Harbor High running back who was killed in a car accident May 14.

“This game is for Andre,” said South fullback Jimmy Herzog, who played

two varsity seasons at Costa Mesa High, before finishing up last fall at

Santa Margarita. “Everyone has been asking for Newport Harbor helmet

decals, so they can wear them as a tribute to Andre.”

Stewart’s name remains on the South roster and he will be included in

pregame introductions. Game organizers from the Brea Lions Club also hope

to present Stewart’s blue No. 2 South jersey to his family before

kickoff.

In addition to Herzog, who will start in the backfield, long snap and

wear No. 33, Newport-Mesa is represented by Corona del Mar’s Jay Bottom

and Estancia’s Kyle Westman.

Bottom and Westman were named Pacific Coast League Co-Defensive

Players of the Year by the Daily Pilot last fall.

Bottom, set to walk on at USC, will rotate at defense end. Though he

was No. 77 as a Sea King, he will wear jersey No. 52, worn formerly at

CdM by his brother Alex, a three-year starting varsity center who walked

on at USC after graduating in 1999.

Westman, who will play at Orange Coast College, will see action at

offensive and defensive tackle. He’ll wear his customary No. 75.

Both will help the South in the battle of the trenches, which, Orloff

believes, will decide the outcome.

“It all comes down to whether our offensive linemen can block things,”

Orloff said. “Hopefully, our kids will know their assignments and execute

up front. The game will be won or lost on how we move the ball behind our

offensive line.”

Former Corona del Mar High quarterback Mike Bergey, who played as a

senior at Dana Hills High, will not play for the South. The future Ohio

State walk-on had hand surgery after sustaining an injury in a pickup

basketball game.

Original South representative Marshall Hendricks (Estancia) and

replacement selection Shaun Ferryman (Costa Mesa) will not play. Both

chose to give up their roster spots for various reasons.

Other South standouts include USC-bound safety Matt Grootegoed (Mater

Dei), whom many believe is the finest player in county history. A two-way

standout the last three seasons for the Monarchs, Grootegoed will

concentrate on defense.

Evan Whittaker (El Toro) will start at quarterback and James Allen

(San Clemente) is the starting tailback for the Rebels. Ray Mietkiewicz

(Marina) will also see action at fullback.

Whittaker’s top receivers will include Brendon Cornell (Edison) and

Josh McCarthy (San Clemente).

Chris Cordova (Trabuco Hills), a late addition who attended only seven

of the 13 South workouts, is the emergency backup at quarterback, where

Orloff and Offensive Coordinator Brent Melbon, a former CdM High player,

will hope Whittaker can avoid injury.

Orloff also believes Damon Alavekios (Dana Hills) and Brandon Malcolm

(Tustin) could make an impact at receiver.

Defensively, Shane Harris (Woodbridge) will join Grootegoed at safety

with Blake Dossey (Dana Hills) and Travis Loidolt (Laguna Beach) opening

at inside linebacker.

Mike Patterson (Irvine) and Akeem Greenfield (Tustin) are the

scheduled starters at outside linebacker, while Junior Palacios (Mater

Dei) and Malcolm (Tustin) should start at cornerback.

Steven Fafita (Fountain Valley) figures to be a key performer on the

defensive line for the Rebels, who trail the North in the series,

20-17-3.

Admission is $8 and proceeds will benefit several charities.