High school football: Injury sidelines Welch for Lions All-Star game

Summary of the News-Sentinel story on Kee Welch, whose knee injury in practice kept him out of the 44th annual Lions All-Star Football Game.

Kee Welch had been looking forward to playing in one of California's longest-running high school football all-star games, but the former Lodi High offensive lineman was forced to the sideline before game day.

During a Wednesday morning practice at Stagg High, Welch injured his left knee while participating in a contact lineman drill with the North squad. He said the pain was severe enough that he could not walk on his own, and medical follow-up included X-rays and a scheduled MRI to determine the full extent of the injury.

Welch said he had been told a torn meniscus was possible. If confirmed, the expected recovery could have been two to four months plus rehabilitation, which would have affected his plan to play football at Delta College that fall.

The injury also prompted Welch to think seriously about life after football. He planned to focus on studies in Delta's culinary program and said he hoped to open his own restaurant within five years.

As a senior at Lodi, Welch helped anchor the offensive line at right guard and tackle, opening holes for Cole Carouba, who rushed for 1,263 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The 44th annual Lions All-Star Football Game was scheduled for Tracy High's Wayne Schneider Stadium. The North practiced at Stagg High and stayed in University of the Pacific dorms, while the South practiced and stayed at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock.

Willie Herrera of East Union led the North staff, while Dustin Caropreso of Los Banos directed the South. The South entered the game unbeaten in the previous four meetings at 3-0-1, though the North still led the overall series 24-17-2.

View 2017 North Roster View 2017 South Roster

Adapted for the Lions All-Star Football website from a News-Sentinel story by Mike Bush, published June 15, 2017.