A Big Crowd and Very Little Scoring : Prep football: California wins sloppy, fight-marred Shrine game, 6-0, against Texas before capacity crowd of 10,000.

The Shrine All-Star high school football game was given new life Saturday night when a change in format and location resulted in a capacity crowd of 10,000 at Cal State Fullerton.

Tickets were sold out before kickoff, forcing many fans to gather on a hill behind one of the end zones to catch a glimpse of the field. Those who had extra tickets had no trouble finding buyers.

Whether the renewed interest lasts remains to be seen. California won, 6-0, in a sloppy game marred by several fights and unsportsmanlike penalties. As a result, much of the crowd had left before the end.

Why all the interest in a high school all-star game? In an attempt to combat declining interest, organizers shifted gears this year and offered fans a contest between many of the top players from California and Texas. It was the first such game of its kind in the Southland, and curiosity was high.

Only 5,000 attended last year’s game at Citrus College in Glendora, which pitted all-stars from Southern California against those from Northern California. Crowds of more than 80,000 were common when the event started in the 1950s.

On paper, California appeared to have a big advantage. Nearly all of the team’s 35 players have accepted scholarships to major college programs. The roster was decided by coaches and media throughout the state.

The Texas team, however, had less scholarship players and was put together after most of the state’s top talent had already committed to another all-star game.

Texas had its chances, but the lack of a passing game and turnovers proved the difference.

The only score came in the second quarter when Derrick Gardner of Oakland Skyline intercepted a pass from Trey Evans of Round Oak and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown. Gardner, headed to California, was selected California’s most valuable player.

Although California figured to put on an aerial attack with a roster heavy on receivers, the passing game never materialized. John Fox of Corona Centennial and Chad Hutchinson of San Diego Torrey Pines combined for six completions in 18 attempts and only 40 yards.

The team’s rushing game fared no better. Steve Wofford of Bakersfield rushed for 61 yards in nine carries and Sirr Parker of Locke was held to minus-seven yards in 11 carries.

Tempers flared in the third quarter when both teams cleared their benches and a fight between about 20 players broke out on the field. Two players, including Colorado-bound Kane Cullum of Encino Crespi, were ejected.