BARRY FAULKNER:All-Stars need old schooling

It is easier to be old school when you’re old.

Being that my football sensibilities have been shaped more by Dick Butkus than Ray Lewis, I prefer a tackle to a taunt, a sack to a sack dance and a good old-fashioned hug from a teammate to the end-zone gyrations that more and more frequently follow a touchdown.

The pregame display that I believe helped lead to a disgraceful end to the Orange County All-Star Football Game on Friday at Orange Coast College was anything but old school.

It was, however, a wake-up call that should not go unheeded.

It will go unpunished, because there is no administrative umbrella under which recent high school graduates compete, before they had off to their respective college programs.

But it can not go unanswered. And there are, I believe, answers.

But first, a recap.

The annual summer showcase pitting the top graduated seniors from the North against those from the South, is preceded by player introductions.

In numeric order, players proceed from the goal line toward midfield when they are introduced. Upon arrival near midfield, players are greeted with a handshake from longtime game coordinator Phil Anton. Anton, who played offensive line at Anaheim High in the 1960s, sticks out his sizable paw and shakes hands. High fives don’t fly with Phil.

But before the players reach Anton, they have often given respectable decorum the back of their hand.

In increasing numbers, players have chosen to milk their 10 seconds in the spotlight by dancing, gesturing, even performing what appear to be brief skits. Too often, they stare at the opposing bench and/or stands, either subtly or overtly taunting the opponent.

Several South players did all of the above during Friday introductions. Then, as a team, South players stooped even lower.

They congregated in formation near midfield, facing the North bench.

Then, clearly following rehearsal, they stomped, thumped their chests, knees and thighs in unison, and yelled things that were inaudible from my vantage point high above the South sideline.

When they were done, a few players ran toward the North sideline yelling and gesturing some more.

This routine was vaguely like what Orange Coast College football players performed before and sometimes at halftime of their games last fall. But OCC players cavorted in a circle facing one another, and they were either positioned in the end zone or near their own sideline. Their ritual was never directed toward the other team.

So, before the first collision Friday, there was ill-conceived ill will.

South Coach Bruce Ingalls said after the game he was not aware his team had planned the pregame dance. He mentioned a reference to rugby tradition and Samoan heritage, and said it was a matter of kids being kids.

Perhaps it was surprise that prevented Ingalls or any of his assistants from stepping in and shooing South players back to their sideline.

Ingalls, whose Laguna Hills teams I have seen play exclusively with class, said he did instruct his players before Friday’s game to play with class and not embarrass themselves.

During the game, I observed several South players, most often those not in the game, shouting at or speaking with enthusiasm to North players who just happened to be making plays near the South sideline. A few of these rants followed a 20-yard sprint along the sideline to the scene of the play.

The South received two unsportsmanlike penalties, both after plays had ended.

During the kickoff return that precipitated the game-ending melee, I was making my way to the field, down the ramp beyond the South end zone. From this position, I had a poor view of the events that occurred both during and after the return.

The North, of course, should not be without blame.

The officials’ decision to end the game was, I believe, appropriate.

Now, how do we stop the shenanigans?

It must start with the introductions, which should be streamlined. Players should be introduced either standing on the goal line, at midfield, or along their own sideline. They can step forward and acknowledge the crowd with a waive, a salute, or a nod of the head. Anything more and they will sit out the first half. Anything resembling a dance will result in disqualification.

With those restrictions in place, the self-promotional choreography will cease.

Players flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct or dead-ball personal fouls will be removed from the game and must sit out the rest of that quarter.

A second foul on the same player will result in disqualification.

Kids, being kids? Why don’t let’s adults be adults.

Kids, especially those playing under no disciplinary constructs ? hence no consequences for their actions ? have increasingly shown they can not control themselves.

Game organizers and coaches need to enlist strict preventative measures to protect the future of a traditionally fine event.dpt-faulknerbarry.BPhotoInfoM01T0DSH20060717M01T0DSHCredit: Caption: (LA)