Lions All-Star Football Celebrates 50 Years With State Champions, Flag Competition
Summary of the Modesto Bee story on the 50th Lions All-Star Football Game, the first girls flag football all-star game, and a night that honored Aaron Judge's All Rise Foundation and longtime Tracy coach Wayne Schneider.
The 50th Lions All-Star Football Game brought together decades of local football history, a new girls flag football showcase, and another stage for graduated seniors from across the southern Sac-Joaquin Section to be seen.
Mark Tennis told the Modesto Bee that summer all-star games remain part of what makes high school football special. The Lions game has moved through several homes over the years, including University of the Pacific, Modesto Junior College, Lincoln High, and now Tracy High School, while shifting from a full camp-style week in college dorms to a week of practices at the host school.
The format has changed, but the purpose has stayed familiar: giving seniors one more meaningful football week, honoring the area's best players, and helping athletes keep doors open at the next level.
50th-Year Honors
At halftime of the boys tackle game, the Lions recognized Aaron Judge's All Rise Foundation and former Tracy High football coach Wayne Schneider. Judge, a Linden High graduate, was once selected for the Lions game but chose to begin his baseball path at Fresno State before eventually becoming a star for the New York Yankees.
The Lions presented Judge's family with a jersey from the game he would have played in as a senior. Tennis noted that Judge's choice clearly worked out, while also emphasizing that the Judge family and the All Rise Foundation remain connected to the local community.
Schneider, whose name is on the Tracy football stadium, has been connected to every Lions game since the inaugural competition in 1974.
Eagal Leads North Boys
The North won the boys game 34-14 after an unexpected quarterback shuffle. Escalon's Logan Huebner was out with illness, and Bradley Blankenheim was injured in the first half, leaving head coach Andrew Beam to turn to Mason Eagal of St. Mary's.
Eagal had practiced primarily as a defensive back and receiver, but his all-around ability took over the night. He played defensive back, quarterback, and kicker, threw two touchdown passes, made two field goals, converted every extra point, returned a punt more than 40 yards, and added tackles on defense.
His emergency quarterback performance earned him the Wayne Schneider MVP Award. Eagal will continue in college athletics at Arizona, where he is set to play lacrosse.
Cash Byington of Sonora, another state champion, was named Charlie Washington Offensive MVP after scoring twice on the ground. Eagal added second-half touchdown passes to Ciah Freeman-White of Stagg and Steven Morfoot of Sonora. The South scored on a defensive touchdown by Laten Butler of Mariposa and a touchdown pass from Vicente Cortez of Merced to Jaden Smith of Golden Valley.
Boys Award Winners
- Wayne Schneider MVP: Mason Eagal, St. Mary's
- Bob Mattos Defensive MVP: Raul Diaz, Los Banos
- Charlie Washington Offensive MVP: Cash Byington, Sonora
- South Most Inspirational: Laten Butler, Mariposa
- North Most Inspirational: Francis Ta'amu, Edison
Girls Flag Makes History
The first Lions All-Star Flag Football Game opened the evening and gave the area's top graduated girls flag football players their own North vs. South stage. Tennis called the addition a natural step because of how quickly girls flag football has grown as an official CIF sport.
Emma Coronado of Kimball became the first Elizabeth Gibbs MVP, throwing four touchdown passes and rushing for another score as the North defeated the South 44-6. According to Cal-Hi Sports numbers cited by the Bee, Coronado completed 13 of 20 passes for 248 yards.
The South's touchdown came when Olivia Costa of Livingston connected with Avnoor Bains of El Capitan down the right sideline. Ivy Butler of Pitman, who had an interception and was named South Most Inspirational, said the all-star week helped players appreciate former opponents as teammates and gave flag football the kind of recognition already familiar to tackle football.
Girls Flag Award Winners
- Elizabeth Gibbs MVP: Emma Coronado, Kimball
- Norma and Francis Bognuda Defensive MVP: Sosefina Hunkin, St. Mary's
- Jane Williford Offensive MVP: Izzy Gutierrez, Tracy
- South Most Inspirational: Ivy Butler, Pitman
- North Most Inspirational: Kiera McCulley, Manteca
Adapted for the Lions All-Star Football website from a Modesto Bee story by Quinton Hamilton, updated June 22, 2026.