Manoukian gives up all-star spot
Locals prepare for football game July 25
By Dick Sparrer
Matt Manoukian is an all-star caliber football player. But the outstanding defensive lineman from St. Francis won't be on the field for the North team in the 27th annual Silicon Valley Youth Classic Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game on July 25.
Thanks to his selfless efforts, though, someone else will be.
Manoukian was a definite all-star selection after winning all-league honors in the West Catholic Athletic League and earning an honorable mention berth on the All-Bay Area team.
But an untimely bout of strep throat led to a case of mononucleosis, he eventually had to have his tonsils removed in April. His illness led the following letter to the game's sponsor, the Almaden Valley Rotary Club:
"I was deeply honored and very excited when I was notified of my selection to play in the Silicon Valley Youth Classic Football Game. Football has always been my passion and I have enjoyed playing football at St. Francis for the past four years."
He went on to say, however, "I am not able to engage in contact sports for a period of time and I do not feel that I would be in top shape and able to fully participate in the football game on July 25. I believe that it is important to give another football player this wonderful opportunity."
Because of Manoukian's unselfish act, the selection committee could allow another football player to enjoy the all-star experience when the North meets the South at 7:30 p.m. on July 25 at Independence High School in east San Jose.
And what an experience it is. Nearly 2,500 high school football players have participated in "The Best Game in Town."
The game has featured over a dozen players (Doug Cosbie, Don Schwartz, Jeff Toews, Rich Campbell, Carl Monroe, Greg Woodard, John Tuggle, Ben Bennett, John Faylor, Erik Howard, Randy Kirk, Tim Ryan and Pat Tillman) who have gone on to the NFL, and a couple more (Ken Caminiti and Bill Haselman) who have gone on to play major league baseball.
Countless players have gone on to succeed at the college level with a number of them playing in major bowl games, and many players have gone on to become successful football coaches.
One, Millard Hampton, even went on to strike Olympic gold.
"The great thing about this game is that there are no politics involved," said game chairman Jim Guido of the Almaden Rotary Club. "This game is for the kids."
Local "kids" who will play in the summer classic this year include Gabe Candelaria of Willow Glen, Josh McDonnell and Tim Scheffer of Pioneer, and Clinton Wu and Danny Yoder of Bellarmine.
Former local star to participate in the summer classic include:
Willow Glen
1976-- Mitch Bigger, Carl Roth; 1982-- Steve Malik, Doug Ito; 1983-- Bill Chavarria, Bret Gedryn, Chris Thomas; 1984-- John Foster, Jeff Knopf, Fred Houston; 1985-- David Williams; 1986-- Rigo Gutierrez, Terry Fine; 1987-- Scott Benning, Javier Gutierrez; 1988-- Andy Brinck; 1989-- Dave Miller; 1992-- Curtis Given; 1993-- Josh Ledger, Scott Hernandez; 1994-- Jose Martinez; 1995-- Mike Burse, David Duran, Dean Vinson; 1996-- Bryan Navarrette; 1997-- Tim Hare; 1998-- Shaun Thompson; 1999-- John Fernandez, Cory Hare.
Pioneer
1974-- Randy Becker, Jim Ogle, Randy Vorsters; 1975-- Kevin Douglas, Harry Reed, Dan Burke; 1981-- Brent Zappacosta, Craig Wince; 1983-- Jon Stewart; 1984-- Jim Grzelak, Dan Hustaca; 1985-- Mike Nedved, Paul Hembrooke; 1986-- Jim Orlowski; 1987-- Troy Marseline; 1988-- Rick Grant; 1989-- Bryan Hilborn, Carlos Vasquez, Richard Dole; 1990-- Eric Perry; 1991-- Issac Kendrick; 1992-- Brian Yoshikawa; 1993-- DePrice Kelly, Scott Howell; 1995-- Adam Swantko, Edgar Alcala, Pablo Martinez; 1996-- Tim Snow; 1997-- Kyle Murdock, Nathan Jackson; 1998-- Rob Basuino; 1999-- Jason Murdock, Grant Murdock.
Bellarmine
1977-- Dan Fahrner, Mike Kerrigan, Mark Rebboah; 1978-- Andy Johnson, Jeffrey Morgan; 1979-- Vince Stroth, Clancy O'Hara, Bob Palatella, Vince Canelo; 1980-- Rich Martig, Matthew Ramirez, Miker Heffernan, Chuck Slone; 1981-- Dave Ambrosini, Nick Holt, Joe Gomes, Sal Cesario; 1982-- Mike O'Donnell, Greg Powers, Dave Diaz-Infante, Erik Howard; 1983-- Bill Heffernan, Jim Banister, John Gatrousis, Randy Kirk; 1984-- Pat Arnold, Todd Locicero, Josh Whitney, Cassidy O'Hara; 1985-- J.P. Scandalios, Ron Caragher, Mark Dumont, Will Wall, Pat Wahler; 1986-- Al Lemerande, Jered Wagner, Doug Robinson; 1987-- Tyson Toles, Aaron Brubaker, Pete Fuqua, Chris Dean; 1988-- Alan Frame, Vic Giacalone; 1989-- Nick Stojanovic, Mike Filice, Nick Del Biaggio; 1990-- David Popejoy; 1991-- Armando Avila, Tom McNeil, Harry Kim; 1992-- Troy LaCoursiere, Andrew Parkinson; 1994-- Duffy Moran, Dion Campisi; 1995-- Greg Gatto; 1996-- Joe Cirone, Blake Elliott, Jason Kong; 1997-- Erik Taylor, Tim Foley, McCabe Callahan; 1998-- Sam Prada, B.J. Brust; 1999-- Jeremy Jones, Kyle Pilgeram, Richie Alpers.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
