Manteca High freshman Gino Campiotti has been given the rare opportunity to showcase his talents to college coaches on the other side of the country.

He is one of just four Californians in his age group consisting of ninth and 10th graders selected to participate in the 9th Annual Offense-Defense Bowl at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. over winter break.

The week-long event (Dec. 30-Jan. 4) includes clinics, combines, conventions, one-on-one activities and tournaments. Players are broken up into five divisions: Senior Bowl, Diamonds in the Rough (seniors), Rising Stars (juniors), Showcase (underclassmen) and youth (grades 1-8). The televised All-Star Senior Bowl Game showcases the top 88 high school seniors in the country. Current NFL stars such as Cam Newton, Carlos Dunlap and Dez Bryant are among those to participate in past Offense-Defense Bowl Games.

Campiotti started at quarterback for the Manteca sophomore squad and led the Buffaloes to a 8-1 record and second-place finish in the Valley Oak League. The 6-foot, 155-pounder was called up to the varsity team for its Sac-Joaquin Section Division III postseason run and even got snaps under center in a 49-14 first-round win over Vanden.

Campiotti completed 56.7 percent of his passes for the sophomore team and threw for 643 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Offense-Defense Sports has run full-contact football instructional camps nationwide for the past 45 years, hosting events at 40 locations every spring and summer. For more information, visit www.o-d.com.