Los Banos' Barcellos Looking to Cap Stellar Senior Year with All-Star Football Win

Alec Barcellos of Los Banos entered Lions All-Star week trying to cap what he described as a dream senior year. After jumping from football to basketball to baseball, while also keeping up with school and work, the chance to spend a full week focused only on football with the South team at Cal State Stanislaus was almost a break from his normal pace.

Barcellos said the all-star experience was different because, once practice ended, there was no second sport to attend and no job waiting. Instead, he could return to the dorms, spend time with teammates, and work on getting his football legs back under him after the end of baseball season. He admitted the transition back to football shape was not easy, especially in the triple-digit heat, but said the first hit of camp quickly reminded him what all-star week was about.

The Los Banos standout came into the game after helping the Tigers to an unexpected Western Athletic Conference championship and a Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinal run in football, where he played both receiver and outside linebacker and was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. He then helped Los Banos baseball make another postseason push before turning his full attention back to football.

Before heading to Colorado Mesa University, Barcellos viewed the Lions Game as one more chance to finish high school athletics as a winner while representing Los Banos on the South team. He said playing in all-star games had always been something he dreamed about, and the chance to do that after such a full senior year made the opportunity even more meaningful.

South coach Jeremy Plaa of Downey said he was impressed by Barcellos' athleticism and versatility. Plaa planned to use him primarily at strong safety, but because the South was installing Downey's spread offense, he also did not rule out giving Barcellos some offensive snaps as well. Plaa pointed to Barcellos' size, quick feet, and all-around athletic ability as traits that made him a valuable piece for the South roster.

The article also highlighted other local South representatives from the Merced area who would join Barcellos in the 42nd annual Central California Lions All-Star Football Game: Roy Gutierrez of Buhach Colony, Bailey Rodriguez of Los Banos, and Justin Stefani of Buhach Colony. Kickoff was set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 13 at Wayne Schneider Stadium in Tracy.