Saratoga News

Local players in all-star football game

By Dick Sparrer

"The best game in town."

That's a mighty bold claim these days, what with the Sabercats, the Clash and the Sharks all calling the Santa Clara Valley their home.

But it's a claim game organizers make every summer when the Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game makes its annual return to the valley.

The game features the top players from the recently graduated senior class and lines them up opposite one another as the North and the South in all-star action each year.

But the best game in town? You be the judge.

The game has featured no less than a dozen players who have gone on to play professionally in the National Football League, and dozens more who have gone on to star for major universities.

So there is no lack of talent.

Of the 22 games already played in the series, 10 have been decided by just a touchdown or less--and five of those by a field goal or less.

So there is no lack of competition.

And the game had to return to San Jose State University's Spartan Stadium this summer because San Jose City College was too small to handle the overflow crowd a year ago.

So there is no lack of interest.

All things considered, maybe it is the best game in town--at least, it will be on July 23 when the North and South kick off at 7:30 p.m. in the 23rd annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game hosted by the Almaden Rotary Club at Spartan Stadium.

The game will feature a number of local stars-- linebacker Steve Horner of Lynbrook; place-kicker Nelson Santana, quarterback Mark Bestul, and tight end Brandon Morgan of Prospect; free safety David Goni, linebacker Brennan Carroll, and tight end Joe Brady of Saratoga; linebacker Mat Meade of Westmont; and linebacker Mike McNeil and wide receiver Chad Purcell of Monta Vista.

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