Prep football: South All-Stars include five locals

Barry Faulkner

Newport Harbor High senior Andre Stewart, who led the Sailors to

the CIF Southern Section Division VI title en route to Newport-Mesa

District MVP honors, is one of five football players with local ties

named to represent the South in the Orange County All-Star Game,

scheduled July 14 at Orange Coast College.

Stewart, who rushed for a school single-season record 2,404 yards and

scored 26 touchdowns, will be joined on the 36-player South roster by

Estancia standouts Marshall Hendricks and Kyle Westman, Corona del Mar’s

Jay Bottom and former CdM standout Mike Bergey, who played his senior

year at Dana Hills.

The South, coached by Dana Hills head man Scott Orloff, will battle the

best players from the north in the annual summer showcase, sponsored by

the Brea Lions Club.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Stewart, who was the CIF Division VI Offensive

Player of the Year, is one of three Rebel running backs chosen by Orange

County sportswriters.

Hendricks, who broke the school single-season rushing record with 1,477

yards in 10 games last fall, is ticketed for the secondary. He had a

district-leading eight interceptions at cornerback in his only season at

Estancia. He played previously at Edison.

Hendricks, however, may return kicks for the South. His return skills

helped him amass 1,963 all-purpose yards for the Eagles. He is

considering a scholarship offer from Humboldt State.

Bottom and Westman, who shared Defensive Player of the Year laurels on

the Daily Pilot’s All-Pacific Coast League team, will contribute muscle

and determination to the South defensive line.

Westman, a 6-3, 275-pounder, played tackle and end for the Eagles, in

addition to his duties as a starting offensive lineman. He earned All-CIF

Division IX honors in his third varsity season and plans to continue his

football career at Orange Coast College.

Bottom, a 6-4, 210-pounder, played end and tackle for the PCL

co-champions. He was also an All-CIF choice in Division IX. The All-Star

Game will, most likely, conclude his football career.

Bergey, who transferred to Dana Hills after starting at quarterback for

the Sea Kings as a sophomore and junior, is one of two quarterbacks who

will trigger the South attack.

A 6-3, 205-pounder with impressive athleticism, Bergey was also a

formidable defensive presence at safety for the Sea Kings and Dolphins.

He will walk on at Ohio State, where he is uncertain which side of the

ball the Buckeyes will request his services.

Other notables for the South include Marina fullback Ray Mietkiewicz,

Ocean View quarterback DeShai Houston, Fountain Valley fullback-defensive

lineman Steven Fifita and Mater Dei tailback-cornereback Junior Palacios.

Irvine linebacker Mike Patterson, the CIF Division VI Defensive Player of

the Year, will also be employed to help the South try to extend its

three-game winning streak.

The North leads the series, 20-17-3.

Quarterbacks - Mike Bergey (Dana Hills), 6-3, 205; DeShai Houston (Ocean

View), 6-1, 175. Running backs - Ray Mietkiewicz (Marina), 6-2, 235;

James Allen (San Clemente), 6-1, 205; Andre Stewart (Newport Harbor),

5-9, 170. Receivers - Brendon Cornell (Edison), 6-0, 200; Jay Dale

(Laguna Hills), 6-0, 175; Juan Ramirez (Santa Ana), 5-11, 175; Josh

McCarthy (San Clemente), 5-10, 160. Off. line - Scott Paffrath (Mission

Viejo), 6-6, 255; Eric Bansberg (El Toro), 6-4, 245; Brian Belgen

(Mission Viejo), 6-1, 285; Dan Owens (Mater Dei), 6-2, 265; M.J. Ansel

(Marina), 6-3, 270; Doug Nienhuis (Woodbridge), 6-6, 265. Linebackers -

Blake Dossey (Dana Hills), 6-3, 255; Ryan Switzer (El Toro), 6-0, 225;

Eric Rapley (Trabuco Hills), 6-3, 240; Tyler Kruse (Mater Dei), 6-2, 220;

Mike Patterson (Irvine), 6-0, 185; Travis Loidolt (Laguna Beach), 6-2,

215. Def. line - Steve Casciotti (El Toro), 5-10, 205; Josh Pridham (San

Clemente) 6-3, 230; Tim Hefty (Aliso Niguel), 6-4, 210; Tom Kazarian (Dana Hills), 6-3, 265; Steven Fifita (Fountain Valley), 5-11, 245; Kyle

Westman (Estancia), 6-3, 275; Jimmy Owen (University) 6-3, 240; Jay

Bottom (Corona del Mar), 6-4, 210. Secondary - Zack Bell (Tustin), 6-1,

200; Brandon Malcolm (Tustin), 5-9, 165; Junior Palacios (Mater Dei),

5-10, 185; Shane Harris (Woodbridge), 5-10, 190; Shaun Shuck (Huntington

Beach), 5-11, 180; Marshall Hendricks (Estancia), 6-0, 170. Kicker - Matt

Hanson (Fountain Valley), 6-1, 180.