Among the classic moments are Millard Hampton's kick-off return for a touchdown for the South in the first game back in 1974, Gary Lynn's three touchdowns for the South in that same game and Bryan Beall's game-winning 37-yard field goal for the North in 1998.

But then last year Willow Glen's Doug Dionne intercepted a pass in the endzone on the final play of the night to help the South preserve a thrilling 27-25 victory over the South, and he became part of the game's illustrious history.

It was just one of the many moments in time to remember from the Silicon Valley Youth Classic as high school seniors step forward to take starring roles each year in the summer all-star game. And as the annual classic returns for a 30th time this summer, the question is who will be next stars of the "Best Game in Town"?

The rosters for the 2004 all-star game have just been released, and a talented crop of graduating high school seniors are set to play in this year's game on July 21, 7:30 p.m., at San Jose City College.

Among the local players set to play for the North team in the summer game are wide receiver Alex Green and quarterback Chris Hobbs of Willow Glen, linebacker Andy Armstrong, noseguard Chip Lewis and running back Chris Parrette of Bellarmine and quarterback Kevin Jurovich and kicker Willie Pierson of Valley Christian.

The local players join an impressive cast of former all-stars, many of whom went on to greatness following their participation in the summer all-star game.

Forty-Niners quarterback Jeff Garcia (Gilroy/San José State University) is a former all-star who went on to turn pro, along with Doug Cosbie (St. Francis/Dallas Cowboys), Don Schwartz (Mitty/St. Louis Cardinals), Jeff Toews (Del Mar/Miami Dolphins), Rich Campbell (Santa Teresa/Green Bay Packers), Greg Woodard (Silver Creek/Oakland Raiders), Ben Bennett (Peterson/Chicago Bears), John Faylor (Mitty/49ers), Erik Howard (Bellarmine/Giants), Randy Kirk (Bellarmine/49ers). Also included on that last are the late Pat Tillman (Leland/Arizona Cardinals), Carl Monroe (Overfelt/49ers) and John Tuggle (Independence/New York Giants).

Ken Caminiti (Leigh) and Bill Haselman (Saratoga) each played in the summer game, then went on to play baseball in the major leagues, and Millard Hampton (Silver Creek) was an all-star who went on to win an Olympic gold medal.

Rotary sponsorship

The Almaden Valley Rotary Club sponsors the football game each summer, with proceeds going to the Rotary charity and scholarship programs. And it all started because members of the Almaden Valley Rotary Club had an idea.

"Three Rotarians came to the police department and met with me at the PAL office," said game chairman Jim Guido, now a Rotarian himself but at that time the head of the San Jose Police Activities League. "They said, 'We have an idea for an all-star football game.' "

So Guido, his PAL staff and the Rotarians went to work to make the idea a reality.

"We had a marriage of sorts," said Guido of the relationship between the Rotary and the PAL. "They came up with the idea which was a good one, and we had the expertise to put the game together."

The first game was played in the summer of 1974. With the exception of 1976, the game has been played every summer since, and Guido has been involved in every one of the 27 games.

"The great thing about this game is that there are no politics involved," said Guido. "This game is for the kids."

Football banquet

The players and coaches selected for the 2004 game were invited to a banquet in their honor on May 10. Special guest John Ralston, a former coach for Stanford, San José State University and the Denver Broncos, introduced the evening's guest speaker, inspirational San José State University football player Neil Parry. Parry fought his way back to the playing field for the Spartans even after suffering a compound fracture that resulted in the amputation of his lower right leg.

North team

Santa Clara High School coach Darren Spence will lead the North team in the all-star game. Members of the North team include:

Archbishop Mitty—Gary Nagle, defensive line; Kyle Richard, fullback. Cupertino—Jonathan Price, running back; Nykk Ramirez-Baker, linebacker. Del Mar—Ryan McCullough, tight end. Fremont—Mike Silva, quarterback. Gunn—Tom Blake, linebacker. Harker—Alex Reid, running back. Homestead—Mike Van Orden, offensive line. Leigh—Tom Bingham, wide receiver; Erik Schlief, lineman. Los Altos—Donnie Ecker, quarterback; Shawn Girouard, wide receiver; Ryan Sherbino, linebacker. Los Gatos—Danny Bates, running back; Ivan Batinich, linebacker; Chris Danser, offensive line; Ryan Lecznar, offensive line. Milpitas—Carlos Correa, defensive back; Siua Musika, defensive line. Monta Vista—Gavin Zack, wide receiver. Mountain View—Daniel Croom, defensive end. Palo Alto—Adam Dester, wide receiver; James McCluskey, defensive line; Shane Parsons, lineman. Prospect—Jeremy Nuia, running back; Andrew Shouse, linebacker. Saint Francis—Justin Sieber, defensive back; Will Taufoou, running back; Sione Umufuke, defensive lineman. Santa Clara—Bran Cintas, fullback; Mike Kinsman, wide receiver; Matt O'Donnell, tight end; Alex Reyes, offensive lineman; Akili Roach, running back; Jared Rose, guard. Saratoga—Brett Granum, quarterback; Dayne McGee, running back; Ryan Newberry, strong safety. Westmont—Burt Codera, wide receiver. Wilcox—Jeremy Belligan, strong safety; Anthony Reyes, linebacker; Andre Robinson, defensive lineman; Gilbert Sierraz, defensive tackle; Tasi Utuga, linebacker.

South team

Santa Teresa High School head coach Nick Alfano will head up the South squad for the summer game. Members of the South team include:

Andrew Hill—Chris Jackson, running back. Bellarmine—Andy Armstrong, linebacker; Chip Lewis, noseguard; Chris Parrette, running back. Branham—Andre Ingram, running back; Joshua Lagod, linebacker. Gilroy—Melvin Bryant, tailback; Ben Hemeon, quarterback. Gunderson—Jason Alexander, defensive line; Leebo Pomele, running back. Independence—Chris Leatigaga, defensive end; Diego Marcos, free safety. James Lick—Omar Linares, linebacker; Zac Taylor, running back. Leland—Alex Baumeister, guard/center; Mike Day, running back; Scott Glicksberg, offensive line. Lincoln—Lee Dydo, linebacker; Travis Schaff, linebacker. Live Oak—Steven Conner, wide receiver; Daniel Salinas, running back. Mt. Pleasant—Jacob Loredo, guard; Corey White, running back. Oak Grove—Gavin Binz, linebacker; Danny DeMarco, quarterback; Greg Estrada, tight end; Arvelle Thompson, wide receiver. Overfelt—Andrew Matau, lineman; Matai Wooden, defensive end. Piedmont Hills—Hasani Houston, cornerback; Stefan Pierce, defensive line. Pioneer—Armando Apolinar, defensive line; Jeremy Landucci, running back. San Jose—Donte Ellington, safety; Jaime Uriarte, center. Santa Teresa—Joe Davis, running back; Jon Gonzales, quarterback. Silver Creek—Eli Castillo, linebacker; Kraig Kitong, wide receiver. Valley Christian—Kevin Jurovich, quarterback; Willie Pierson, kicker. Willow Glen—Alex Green, wide receiver; Chris Hobbs, quarterback. Yerba Buena—Sal Alvarez, tackle; Andy Ho, center.