All-Stars sparkle

Four local players turned in strong performances in their final prep

hurrah Friday and helped lead the South in its 22-7 victory over the

North in the 45th Orange County North-South Prep All-Star Football

Game before nearly 6,000 at Santa Ana Bowl. It was the South’s third

straight win over the North.

Marina High’s Matt Brennan rushed for 38 yards on eight carries

and completed four of six passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Brennan also had a 22-yard run called back because of a holding call.

The South’s top receiver was Edison High’s Matt White, who

finished with four receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. White’s

34-yard touchdown pass off a deflection by teammate Jed Collins of

Mission Viejo High came just four seconds before halftime and capped

a 19-point second quarter by the South.

White’s Edison teammate, Nate Mitani, had a big game defensively

for the South. Mitani recovered one of five fumbles by the North

early in the second half. It led to the only score of the half, a

31-yard field goal by Chris Mercer of Aliso Niguel High.

Mitani also had the hit of the game when he leveled Justin Jones

of Orange High in the fourth quarter to break up up a pass play.

Huntington Beach High’s Derek Escobedo played a strong game on the

South’s offensive line and made key blocks throughout the game.