Gonzalez Injured in All-Star Game : Football: Huntington Beach graduate who plans to play two sports at Cal hurts knee in the first quarter. North wins, 12-6.

Tony Gonzalez, a standout in basketball and football who will play both sports at California, injured his right knee Friday night in the 35th Orange County North-South All-Star football game.

Gonzalez, a graduate of Huntington Beach High School and one of best all-around athletes in county history, suffered the injury while playing tight end for the South team during the first quarter of the North’s 12-6 victory in front of approximately 6,000 spectators at Orange Coast College.

The injury occurred with 3 minutes 19 seconds left in the quarter when Gonzalez caught an 11-yard pass in the middle of the field thrown by quarterback Kevin Daft of Foothill, and was immediately slammed to the turf by several defenders at LeBard Stadium.

He lay reeling in pain on the grass for a few minutes before being helped to the South’s sideline. Gonzalez remained seated with his right leg resting on a training table until halftime, when teammates said he was taken to a hospital.

X-rays performed at FHP Hospital in Fountain Valley revealed that Gonzalez suffered a mild sprain, hospital nursing supervisor Dianne Cochrane said. Gonzalez was admitted to the hospital at 9:10 p.m. and released at 10:48 p.m.

Cochrane said Gonzalez did not require a brace.

Gonzalez’s absence hurt the South, which struggled on offense throughout the game. The Times’ Orange County lineman of the year, Gonzalez led Huntington Beach in receiving with 63 receptions for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1993.

This is not the first time a high-profile athlete has suffered a knee injury in association with the game. Former Santa Ana High linebacker George Tuioti tore ligaments in his left knee while practicing for the game in 1988.

While officials said Gonzalez’s injury is not believed to be serious, many spectators in the stadium Friday night were understandably concerned.

The tone of the game was subdued after Gonzalez’s departure. The North’s Grant Pearsall was named the game’s outstanding defensive player after making two spectacular plays--the first to open the scoring and the second to seal the victory.

Pearsall, a defensive back from Villa Park High, intercepted the first pass thrown by the South’s Scott Bertoni (Fountain Valley) in the second quarter and returned it 72 yards down the left sideline for the game’s first touchdown with 6:05 remaining in the half. The North led, 6-0, after the point-after attempt failed.

“I was just standing there all alone,” Pearsall said. “I just wanted to concentrate on not dropping the ball. Once I got out there the whole field just looked huge.”

Pearsall sealed the victory by slamming Daft for a six-yard loss with the South at the North’s 22-yard line as time expired.

Anthony Tucker gave the North a 12-0 lead when he scored on a 15-yard reverse with 11:46 to play in the game. The receiver from Los Alamitos raced untouched to the end zone, but, again, the point-after attempt failed.

The South’s touchdown came with 1:52 left. Tony Mathis, formerly of Irvine High, scored on one-yard run.

North quarterback Paul Waldrop (Savanna High) was named the game’s outstanding offensive player after completing seven of 11 passes for 64 yards. The North leads the series, 19-14-2.