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6 area standouts picked for Lions All-Star Classic
FB--Lions All-Stars file photo
Standout Sierra High defensive end Andrew Guevara pursues East Union quarterback Jack Weaver in a Valley Oak League game. - photo by HIME ROMERO/The Bulletin

Two members of Sierra High’s state championship football team were among six Manteca Unified standouts to be named to the Lions All-Star Classic.

Joining defensive end Andrew Guevara and Delaware State-bound offensive linemen Joshua Fala on the North team’s roster are Manteca defensive back/linebacker Marcus Rivas and wide receiver Ronaldo Tijero, East Union defensive back Austin Miller and Weston Ranch receiver/cornerback Erron Dancy.

The 43rd Lions All-Star Classic will take place Saturday, June 18 at Wayne Schneider Stadium. It marks the third straight year that Tracy High will host the event after two years at Modesto Junior College. The game was previously held at the University of the Pacific’s Stagg Memorial Stadium since its inception in 1974. It’s one of the four oldest-running all-star football games in California.

Last year, Steven Martinez (Manteca), Darrell Clemons (Manteca), L.J. Alofaituli (Sierra), Hunter Johnson (Sierra), Trevon McCray (Sierra) and Hawaii Leafa Teo (Lathrop) were part of history in a losing effort for the North, which lost 51-38 in what was the highest-scoring game in the series. The North still leads all-time 24-16-2.

The North team is comprised of senior standouts from San Joaquin County and the foothills. The South features players from Stanislaus, Merced and Mariposa counties. Stagg High’s Don Norton is coaching the North, while Rob Cozart of Patterson heads the South.

All-stars from both teams will be honored Saturday in a banquet held at the Italian Athletic Club in Stockton. Sacramento State head coach Jody Sears is the guest speaker.

Guevara and Fala, a 6-foot-6, 335-pound tackle, made the MaxPreps California Small Schools All-State team after helping Sierra (10-5) capture the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV and CIF State Division IV-A Bowl championships. Guevara finished tied for fourth in the section with 19.5 sacks.

Tijero (708 receiving yards, 10 total touchdowns) was named the All-Valley Oak League Co-Utility Player of the Year, and fellow Buffalo Rivas was an all-league first team defense selection. Manteca finished third in the VOL with a 5-2 record and was 9-3 overall.

Duncan earned first-team honors for both offense and defense. He rushed for 1,084 yards and nine touchdowns and had 325 and two receiving for Weston Ranch (2-5, 5-5). Miller led East Union (0-7, 3-7) with three interceptions along with 788 yards and eight touchdowns receiving.