Measures Taken to Eliminate Fights in All-Star Game : Prep football: After a brawl ended last year’s Ventura County contest, officials emphasize sportsmanship.

When a vicious, 10-minute brawl ended last year’s Ventura County all-star football game, organizers feared it would spell the end of the 17-year event.

But the game has survived the melee and returns tonight at 7:30 at Ventura High, although game officials have instituted rule changes they hope will prevent a repeat of the near-riot last June at Thousand Oaks High.

The East team of just-graduated seniors led, 21-6, with 2 minutes 40 seconds left in the third quarter when a fight broke out in front of the West team’s bench. The teams had exchanged insults and late hits much of the evening, but only two players had been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Players spilled onto the playing field as officials and four security guards struggled to regain control. Several players used their helmets in the fighting.

Finally, three Ventura County Sheriff’s Department vehicles were dispatched to the field and each team was escorted by police as it left the parking lot.

Fillmore Coach Curtis Garner, who coached the East all-stars, placed some blame on the officials, claiming they should have ejected players earlier in the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. Rio Mesa assistant George Contreras, who assisted the West team, blamed his own players.

“It’s supposed to be a fun thing, a chance to showcase the kids,” he said. “But this was ugly.”

Organizers, coaches and officials met several times after the fight and rejected a proposal to scrap the game. Instead, they took steps that they hope will ensure order in future contests.

Players and their parents must sign a form that encourages sportsmanship by outlining a code of conduct. Spectators who exhibit poor sportsmanship risk removal from the contest.

Players flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct will be removed from the game for at least two plays and will be ejected on a second unsportsmanlike conduct.

“We don’t want to create a game with a lot of penalties,” committee chairman Norman McDaniel said. “We want it to be exciting for the fans and players, but we want to emphasize that unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.”

Organizers also emphasized sportsmanship and team unity at a May 16 dinner held for players, parents and coaches.

“Our organization was probably at fault last year because we did not have the cohesiveness that we have this year,” McDaniel said.

West Coach Larry Lawrence, a former head coach at Santa Clara who currently is an assistant at Oxnard, said he has not had any problems during practice in preparation for this year’s game.

“They’re a great bunch of kids,” Lawrence said. “They’re really supporting each other and I really enjoy working with them.”

Those are reviews McDaniel enjoys hearing.

“Our objective is to produce something that the kids will remember and have fun,” he said.