ORANGE COUNTY ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME : Mater Dei’s Blanton, Knuff Lead South Team Selections

Record-setting quarterback Billy Blanton of Mater Dei High School and his favorite receiver, tight end David Knuff, head the list of selections for the South team that will participate in the 33rd Orange County all-star football game July 10 at Orange Coast College’s LeBard Stadium.

Blanton established county records by passing for 3,545 yards and 36 touchdowns in leading Mater Dei to the Southern Section Division I championship. He culminated the season by passing for 257 yards in a 35-14 victory over Rialto Eisenhower in the title game.

Knuff caught 67 passes for 1,196 yards and 18 touchdowns. Mater Dei offensive tackle Josh Grootegoed and linebacker Jason Thies were also selected and Monarch Coach Bruce Rollinson will coach the South team.

The South team:

Terry Annu (Santa Ana), DB; Jason Bailey (El Toro), WR; Billy Blanton (Mater Dei), QB; Mike Bolster (Huntington Beach), OL; Curt Cannon (Irvine), OL; Alfredo Diaz (Dana Hills), OL; Dave Erickson (Dana Hills), LB; Luis Estrella (Saddleback), DB; Albert Fanoga (Ocean View), WR; Eric Fegraus (Laguna Beach), WR.

Brandon Finney (Newport Harbor), RB; Juan Garcia (Century), RB; Josh Grootegoed (Mater Dei), OL; Aaron Herr (Irvine), DB; Josh Housman (Marina), OL; Josh Ireland (Santa Margarita), RB; Marcus Jenkins (Dana Hills), DB; Matt Keneley (Mission Viejo), DL; John Khamis (Edison), QB; David Knuff (Mater Dei), TE; Rod Lippincott (Edison), TE; Darin Mangnall (Newport Harbor), LB; Chris Miller (El Toro), DL.

Jason Minici (Irvine), QB; Nathan Morealle (University), K; Ingmar Northcott (Marina), DL; Jeff Palone (El Toro), OL; Scott Patton (Capistrano Valley), RB; Kevin Pola (Santa Ana), LB; Justin Polosky (Edison), OL; John Pugh (Trabuco Hills), DL; Anthony Ramirez (Mission Viejo), WR; Jason Thies (Mater Dei), LB; Roman Vasquez (Laguna Hills), OL; Dave Webber (Laguna Hills), RB; Dan West (Capistrano Valley), LB.