Area Standouts Help Grind Out Lopsided Win For North
Summary of the Manteca Bulletin story on the North's 34-14 win in the 50th Lions All-Star Football Game, with area standouts helping control the line of scrimmage and grind out the victory.
Mason Eagal of St. Mary's helped lead the North All Stars to a 34-14 win over the South in the 50th District 4-A1 Lions All-Star Football Game at Wayne Schneider Stadium.
Eagal was named the game's MVP after contributing in several phases. He opened the scoring with a 34-yard field goal late in the first quarter and closed the night with a 30-yard field goal with 1:47 remaining. In between, he threw third-quarter touchdown passes of 34 yards to Ciah Freeman-White of Stagg and 10 yards to Steven Morfoot of Sonora.
Eagal finished 5-of-10 passing for 89 yards, made all four conversion kicks, and added four tackles. The North's other touchdowns came on second-quarter scoring runs of 6 yards and 20 yards by Cash Byington of Sonora, who was named the game's Offensive MVP.
Area Standouts Up Front
The North outgained the South 362-132, and two local linemen helped set the tone. Walker Leamer of Ripon started at right tackle, while Jaiveer Grewal of River Islands lined up across from him at left tackle.
Leamer said the all-star setting felt different from a regular high school game because the whole roster was filled with standout players. Grewal said he was grateful for one more chance to compete at the high school level before moving on to college football, calling it fun to be challenged and hold his ground.
Tialavea Grinds Out Yards
Maava Tialavea of Manteca gave the North a physical presence at fullback, finishing with 61 yards on 15 carries. He described the opportunity to play in the Lions game as a blessing and said it was special to share the field with friends on both sidelines.
Tialavea said he was proud of the team for coming together and earning the win.
Defense Adds Local Impact
Pablo Peña of Lathrop helped plug the middle from his linebacker spot before leaving the game with an injury. He finished with three tackles and said the week was a strong final high school football experience, especially while learning alongside a new group of linebackers and competing with some of the area's best.
Also representing the area for the North were Xyloh Kuresa of Manteca at defensive end and Tipeti Paini of Ripon, who made three tackles from the defensive line.
South Highlights
The South got on the board late in the first half when Layton Butler of Mariposa returned a fumble 8 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 17-7. Butler also made four tackles and was named the South's Most Inspirational Player.
Jaden Smith of Golden Valley caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Vicente Cortez of Merced midway through the third quarter, trimming the North lead to 24-14. Cortez completed 5 of 6 passes for 91 yards.
Raul Diaz of Los Banos led the South defense with six tackles and was named the game's Defensive MVP. Francis Taamu of Edison also received Most Inspirational recognition.
Adapted for the Lions All-Star Football website from a Manteca Bulletin story by Dave Campbell, published June 21, 2026.