Five locals bolstering South

South Coach Mike Jacot identified former Corona del Mar High quarterback Taylor Hughes as one of his three picks for Offensive Most Valuable Player in the 48th edition of the Orange County All-Star Football Game, tonight at 7:15 at Orange Coast College.

But like most of his coaching colleagues, Jacot believes it’s the boys in the trenches that may have the most impact on the outcome of the annual summer showcase of the top graduated seniors.

Toward that end, Newport-Mesa will be well represented by two players who figure to start for the Rebels on the defensive line, and another on the offensive front.

Newport Harbor High product Mike Calabrese, the Newport-Mesa and Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year, is slated to open at defensive tackle for Jacot’s squad.

Another defensive starter for the South is London Sapolu, who has earned the nod at one end spot, after playing both ways for Costa Mesa High last fall.

Offensively, former Newport Harbor standout Brian Beaudette will start at right guard, Jacot said.

Hughes may start, but at the very least is scheduled to share time with Sean Reilly (Trabuco Hills) as the trigger man of the South offense.

Matt Redding, a receiver out of Estancia High, is the fifth Newport-Mesa representative in the game, organized by the Brea Lions Club, which distributes proceeds to several charities.

Hughes threw for a CdM-record 2,204 yards and 22 touchdowns last season for the Sea Kings. Bound for Orange Coast College, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder has earned praise from Jacot for his arm strength and his mobility in the Bullet formation, a version of the shotgun.

Redding, who could start and should contribute to a strong receiving corps, Jacot said, caught 44 passes for 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns to help the Eagles reach the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs in 2006. The 6-2, 205-pounder also rushed for two TDs, helping the Eagles score a school single-season-record 361 points.

“He’s a big, physical receiver who is more of a possession-type guy,” Jacot said of Redding, who will line up primarily in the slot.

Calabrese, a two-time All-CIF Southern Section performer, including last year in the Pac-5 Division, comes in at 6-1, 225. Though slightly small for an interior lineman by today’s standards, Jacot said Calabrese has shown the ability to take care of himself.

“We were told he was going to be a dominant force for us and he hasn’t disappointed,” Jacot said. “He’s not real big, so we started him at end, but it was clear he was better-suited to play inside. He’s very quick and explosive and he’s relentless.”

Calabrese will continue his career at Santa Ana College.

Sapolu, whose brother Luke played offensive line for the South in the 2005 All-Star game, before starting the last two seasons at Orange Coast College, is scheduled to follow his brother to OCC.

Sapolu, the son of former San Francisco 49ers All-Pro offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu, is listed at 6-0, 265, 20 pounds heavier than his senior season. After a quick try at offensive line, he has emerged as a stalwart at defensive end, Jacot said of the All-Newport-Mesa and All-Orange Coast League performer.

“He’s a good football player with great instincts and a good motor,” Jacot said. “He’ll start as our strong-side end.”

Beaudette, an All-Newport-Mesa honoree chosen second-team all-league as a senior, has been a pleasant surprise, Jacot said.

“He’s a little undersized, but the things we do in our scheme, he does great,” said Jacot, who enlisted Newport Harbor offensive line coach Zach Biehl to work with the South blockers.

“[Beaudette will] start for us,” Jacot said.

Beaudette, who plans to walk on at Southern Methodist University, was the Newport Harbor Male Athlete of the Year. In addition to his football exploits, he went 32-13 as a heavyweight wrestler and qualified for the CIF State meet.

Jacot said running back Josh Ferrell (San Clemente High) was another of his Offensive MVP candidates.

The South, which defeated the North, 32-3, last season, has won four of the last five to trim the North’s series advantage to 23-21-3.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at [email protected].