The yearly salute to some of the best outgoing senior high
school football players in the section will include two Gilroy
Mustangs, Andrew Benjamin and Jordan Holler.
Though the 36th Annual Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Game will assuredly have a somber overtone with the recent death of Mr. Wedemeyer, the celebratory purpose of the game will remain as strong as ever.
The yearly salute to some of the best outgoing senior high school football players in the section will include two Gilroy Mustangs, Andrew Benjamin and Jordan Holler.
The pair will suit up for the South squad and coach Mike Carrozzo of Leland on July 21 inside Spartan Stadium in San Jose.
“We started (practice) last Monday,” Benjamin said. “It’s been pretty awesome playing with different players. These are some of the best in the Bay Area.”
Holler, who signed on with Sacramento State as a walk-on to play baseball, cemented his legacy in Mustangs’ football lore with an unforgettable three-touchdown Prune Bowl last season, including two kickoff returns for scores.
Benjamin, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound offensive lineman, who is headed for Arizona State University in the fall, anchored the Mustangs in the trenches last season.
Benjamin said he plans on walking on at ASU, figuring it’s worth a shot.
“I know it’s competitive with the Pac-10 and all, but it’s worth a try, right?” he said.
The graduated seniors were informed of their selection to the team toward the end of January, giving them time to get back into football shape.
“It’s awesome because a lot of guys’ careers’ ended back in November and December,” Benjamin said. “It’s a huge honor. Only the best of the best get selected and with (Wedemeyer) passing away this year it makes it even more prestigious.”
The contest is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
The North is headed by Archbishop Mitty head coach Matt Haniger.
“I don’t really have any goals for the game, just put people on their backs,” Benjamin said.
