Lions All-Star FB: Turlock Treat
Jordan Porter and Gabriel Cordero, teammates from Turlock the previous season, powered the South to a 24-2 win over the North in the 45th Central California Lions All-Star Football Game in Tracy. The score only widened late, as the game remained within reach until the final three minutes.
Porter was named the game’s MVP after contributing as one of the South’s top receivers and then delivering the game-turning play, a 50-yard fumble return touchdown with 2:49 left. That return effectively locked up the result and pushed him to the front of the postgame award voting.
Cordero took home the Defensive MVP plaque after a standout all-around effort. He was credited with 10 tackles, one sack, helped force the key late fumble, and earlier scored the South’s first touchdown on a 12-yard run just before halftime. Before Porter’s return score, Cordero looked like the most likely overall MVP.
The North still had chances. A fourth-quarter safety created by Oyebolaji Akinyemi of Tracy and Carson Caya of Summerville cut the margin to 10-2 with 11:38 left, and the North got the ball back with an opportunity to draw even. It couldn’t cash in, and the fumble return soon followed. Antony Caballero of Los Banos later added a 15-yard touchdown run in the final seconds to close the scoring.
The South’s defense featured more than just Cordero. Octavio Perez of Orestimba posted a game-high 12 tackles, while Irik Dobbins of Buhach Colony added seven tackles, an interception, and several pass breakups after also opening the scoring with a 24-yard field goal. On the North side, Akinyemi was a major bright spot with three sacks, two other tackles for loss, and 10 total tackles.
Frank Marques of Hilmar, the South head coach, saw his group continue the South’s recent run in the series. The win gave the South victories in five of the last six games, with the remaining result in that stretch a tie, although the North still held the overall series edge at 24-19-2. Other offensive standouts included Gabe Sanchez of Patterson, who passed for 99 yards, and Michael Ramos of Lathrop, who rushed for 82 yards for the North. Reuben Lee of Brookside Christian earned the North-side offensive honor after strong contributions as a receiver, runner, and defender.
View 2018 North Roster View 2018 South Roster