Lopez, Beal to partake in all-star football game July 23 at
SJCC
San Jose – Both Gilroy and Live Oak High School will be well represented at the 29th Annual Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game, taking place Wednesday, July 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at San Jose City College.
The North and South teams are comprised of top graduating senior football players from high schools throughout Santa Clara County. Among the players that will compete in the football game, sponsored by the Almaden Valley Rotary Club, are four local student-athletes from two successful high school football programs in Southern Santa Clara County.
Brian Lopez, a 6-2, 250 lb. defensive tackle/offensive tackle from Gilroy High School, was named First Team All-League (offense) and Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2002. This scholar athlete, who will attend San Jose City College next fall, also received Golden State Exam Honors in Biology.
Tony Beal, a 6-1, 215 lb. fullback/ linebacker from Gilroy High School, was named Most Valuable Player his sophomore and senior year, and First Team All League senior year. Beal plans on attending Gavilan College in the fall.
Bryan Jones, a 5-11, 190 lb. linebacker from Live Oak High School, was named Team Defensive Player of the Year, as well as First Team All League. Jones, who will be attending the University of Puget Sound in Washington State this fall, has also been a scholar athlete for the past four years, recognized with Golden State Honors in algebra and chemistry.
Orin Catrett, a 5-11, 185 lb. wide receiver from Live Oak High School, was named Most Valuable Player in 2002 with 1,690 all-purpose yards, 28 tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. This team captain and three-year varsity starter for the Acorns will be attending West Valley College in Saratoga in the fall.
“We have a tremendous amount of talent on our squad,” said South Squad Coach Matt Kiesle. “We definitely plan on utilizing our skill set players in a variety of ways and are looking forward to showcasing all of the amazing talent on the field. We’re counting on each of these South County players to make key contributions. They have all proven themselves to be outstanding athletes.”
All proceeds from the game benefit the Charlie Wedemeyer Family Outreach. ALS, known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. With all voluntary muscle action affected, patients in the latter stages of the disease become totally paralyzed. Yet for the vast majority of people with ALS, their minds remain unaffected.
In 1977, Charlie Wedemeyer was diagnosed with ALS and was given one or, at most, three years to live. While this disease is debilitating, Charlie Wedemeyer will be at this year’s all-star game in full force again to encourage the players before the game and to show his support for this grand tradition.
Tickets for the Annual Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game are $10 and are available from the San Jose Box Office or at the SJCC Stadium gate. For more information about the game, contact the Almaden Valley Rotary Club at (408) 268-7196 or visit www.youthclassic.org.
