Players’ Goal Is to Help South Rise in Shrine Game : Football: Ricketts and Davis put rivalry aside as teammates in Saturday’s all-star game.

Once rivals on the football field, Culver City High’s Dameron Ricketts and Santa Monica’s Luke Davis--arguably the fastest runner and the strongest lineman from the Westside--will become teammates in the Shrine North-South California All-Star Football Classic Saturday night at 7 at Long Beach Veterans Stadium.

The game benefits the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.

“It’s not only the biggest game this side of town, but probably the biggest all-star game in the country,” Ricketts said. “Where else can you find 60 better players?

“And we’re playing for a good cause.”

Ricketts, Davis and Dorsey tailback Sharmon Shah and defensive end Dwayne Sanders will be Westside representatives on the 30-player South team, which lost in 1990, 19-14, and in 1991, 14-0. The South leads the series, 20-15-5.

“They say the South has better athletes but we’re not disciplined enough to win this game,” Davis said. “I think it’s time we prove we’re not only better but will work harder to win.”

Davis, a 6-foot-6, 270-pound mountain of muscle, earned All-Bay League honors as a lineman in football and a forward in basketball. He made 103 tackles and was selected to The Times’ Westside All-Star team as a defensive lineman and to the All-Southern Section Division III team last season. Davis will play football in the fall at Taft Community College.

“Since I started playing football in high school, my dream was to follow the great linemen from Santa Monica that have played in the Shrine Game,” said Davis, who will be competing as a tackle.

Ricketts, a 5-10, 175-pounder, signed to play with Oregon in the fall after electrifying area fans with his breakaway runs. Ricketts gained 2,780 yards in offense as a quarterback and return specialist for the Centaurs. He completed 109 passes in 216 attempts for 1,702 yards and 15 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He rushed for an additional 789 yards in 134 carries and scored five touchdowns. As a defensive back, he had eight interceptions, including three for touchdowns, and accumulated 289 yards in kickoff and punt returns.

Ricketts was honored as The Times’ Westside Back of the Year and also was selected to the All-Southern Section team as a defensive back. Ricketts will be the first among five children, more than 60 cousins, and 10 aunts and uncles to attend college.

“Everyone is behind me 100 percent to go to school and get a degree,” he said.

Ricketts is competing with three receivers for a starting spot and may also play quarterback. He suffered a slight sprain in his right ankle last week while playing a pickup game of basketball.

“I’m trying to run my patterns real nice and catch all my passes in practice,” Ricketts said. “My ankle isn’t 100 percent, but I will be able to play.”

Ricketts has developed a close friendship with Davis and avoids mentioning the rivalry he once had with him. During his junior year, Ricketts missed five games because of a fractured left wrist. But when he returned, Ricketts led the Centaurs to their first-ever victory over Santa Monica. This season, Ricketts rushed for an 81-yard touchdown and threw a 45-yard scoring pass in a 26-20 victory over the Vikings.

“We were really excited to go out and beat Santa Monica like we did my junior year,” Ricketts said. “It was one of the most exciting games of my career.”

Ricketts has learned to be more diplomatic since becoming Davis’ teammate.

“I really don’t tease him about it,” Ricketts said.

The South team has been practicing at Cal State Long Beach and the players have been staying in the school’s dormitories. Although both players desire an opportunity to live away from home, adjusting to college life has not been easy.

“I was homesick after the first day,” Davis said. “I only have one pillow to sleep on. My room has air conditioning, but it doesn’t work. And we have six dudes sharing one bathroom.”

Ricketts also complained about his sleeping accommodations, although he is rarely in his room. When he is not practicing, Ricketts, nicknamed “Cool Daddy” by Davis, is enjoying the Long Beach night life with Sharmon (Hollywood) Shah.

“I share a room with Dwayne (Sanders) and he goes to bed at 9 p.m.,” Ricketts said. “I don’t get to bed until 2:30 in the morning, and I still get up before him.

“I have trouble sleeping in the same room with him. Our beds face each other, and he is so big and our room is so small that my feet touch his.”

Despite the slight inconveniences, Ricketts and Davis would not give up the experience of playing in the Shrine game.

Part of the pregame festivities included a trip to the Shriners Hospital. Ricketts played pool and video games with some of patients while Davis handed out gifts and posed for pictures.

“We get a chance to bring a little happiness and raise money for kids that need it the most,” Davis said. “It makes me feel good to do something for someone else.”