All-star football: Powell is lone local player in Lions game

Summary of the News-Sentinel story on Kent Powell, Lodi's lone local representative in the 46th annual Central California Lions All-Star Football Game.

Kent Powell, a former Lodi High lineman, was set to represent the local area for the North in the 46th annual Central California Lions All-Star Football Game on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at Lincoln High's Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

The game marked the Lions event's return to Stockton after several seasons at Tracy High's Wayne Schneider Stadium. Before that, the game had also been played at Modesto Junior College and for many years at Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium on the University of the Pacific campus.

Powell entered the week hoping to end his high school football chapter with another win. In his final regular-season game for Lodi, the Flames defeated Tokay 42-8 in the Tri-City Athletic League finale at the Grape Bowl.

The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Powell had signed in February with Central Washington University, an NCAA Division II program in Ellensburg, Washington. He planned to redshirt his first season, giving himself time to develop in the program.

The North practiced at Stagg High during the week and stayed in the dorms at University of the Pacific. The North staff was led by Jason McClosky of Mountain House, while Shaun King of Hughson led the South staff as that team practiced and stayed at Stanislaus State University in Turlock.

The competitive backdrop favored the South's recent momentum. The South had won five of the previous six games, including a 24-2 victory the year before, while the North still led the overall series 24-19-1.

McClosky said the line of scrimmage and turnovers would likely decide the game, noting that the North needed to control the line well enough to run the ball and match the South's skill players.

View 2019 North Roster View 2019 South Roster

Adapted for the Lions All-Star Football website from a News-Sentinel story by Mike Bush, published June 13, 2019.