LELAND AND PIONEER PLAYERS IN ALL STAR GAME

Several Leland and Pioneer players to represent schools at 32nd Annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game

Class of 2006 Leland High School alumni Melis Barota, Mike Dally, and Travis Delamore, as well as class of 2006 Pioneer High School alumni Shaun Souza, Nick D’Antonio, C.J. Miller, and J.J. Goulden have been selected to represent their high schools in the 32nd annual Silicon Valley classic, the Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game, on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. at San Jose City College.

They will join the South team as they try to add an 18th overall win against the North Squad, which currently holds 12 wins total. The teams are composed of the best graduating high school football players in the Silicon Valley.

Melis Barota, a 5-foot-10-inch, 200-pound defensive lineman, was named to First Team All League (DL) Blossom Valley Athletic League. The Leland Chargers recognized him as Most Valuable Player. Barota not only has excelled on the field, but in the classroom as well. He has been on the honor roll for the past three years. He has received the Principal’s Award, Scholar Athlete Award by the National Football Foundation, and 4/5 in AP U.S. History. He will attend Foothill College in the fall.

“Melis is an undersized defensive lineman who possesses great strength and speed for someone his size,” said South head coach Jason Tenner, who is also the Leland head football coach. “He is an intelligent football player who is a factor in each and every play.”

Mike Dally, a 6-foot-1-inch, 175-pound defensive lineman, was the team captain for the Leland Chargers, and received the Coach’s Award. He was also an Honor roll student for the last four years. He will attend San Diego State University in the fall.

“Mike is a fast, tough defensive end who plays with reckless abandon,” said Tenner. “I had him at Leland and you could always count on him to be in on the play.”

Travis Delamore, a 6-foot-1-inch, 195-pound tight end/defensive lineman, was the Chargers team captain and received the Coach’s Award. He was named Competitive Edge Football Camp Big Camp Stud. Delamore is also an honor roll student. He will be attending De Anza College in the fall.

“Travis is an outstanding blocker at the point of attack,” said Tenner.

Shaun Souza, a 5-foot-10-inch, 180-pound running back, received Honorable Mention All Mercury News (RB), First Team All League (RB) in the Blossom Valley Athletic League, and League Senior of the Year. The Pioneer Mustangs named him Most Valuable Player and Offensive Back of the Year. Souza is also an honor roll student and will attend Menlo College in the fall.

“Shaun is a complete back who possesses blazing speed, and is capable of hitting a homerun on any play,” said Tenner.

Nick D’Antonio, a 5-foot-11-inch, 180-pound defensive back, was named League Utility Player of the Year. He received First Team All League BVAL, and was acknowledged as Cal Hi Sports Offensive Player of the Week. D’Antonio also excels in the classroom having been on the honor roll all four years. He will be joining his teammate, Souza, in attending Menlo College in the fall.

“Nick is a talented defensive back with great cover skills. Has a nose for the ball and is capable of shutting down anyone he lines up across from,” said Tenner.

C.J. Miller, a 6-foot, 195-pound linebacker, was named the team’s Linebacker of the Year, and to First Team All League (DL) BVAL. He will attend Gavilan College in the fall.

“C.J. is an athletic, active linebacker who can not only stuff the run, but who also possesses good cover skills,” said Tenner.

J.J. Goulden, a 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound wide receiver/free safety, was awarded League Special Team Player of the Year and to the First Teams All League (WR) BVAL. He was the Mustangs team captain and was recognized as their Most Valuable Defensive Back. Goulden also excels in academics receiving the National Football Scholar Athlete Award. He will attend Gavilan College in the fall.

“J.J. is an awesome speedy skilled player capable of stretching a defense vertically. He is also a wideout that catches everything thrown his way,” said Tenner.

Charlie Wedemeyer is a former college football player and the 1960s Prep Player of the Decade in Hawaii. He attended Punahou Academy and Michigan State University on athletic scholarships.

In 1977, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and was given three years to live. He is still alive today and is the founder of the Charlie Wedemeyer Family Outreach. The program’s mission is to fight ALS. He will be at the game to encourage players and show his support for this grand tradition.

Past stars include former Arizona Cardinal Pat Tillman; former San Francisco 49ers Jeff Garcia, Brent Jones, and Carl Monroe; former Dallas Cowboy Doug Cosbie; and current 49er Jeff Ulbrich.

Tickets for the 32nd Annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game are $15 and can be purchased at several locations as well as at the gate. All proceeds from the game will benefit the Charlie Wedemeyer Family Outreach and other local charities sponsored by the Almaden Valley Rotary Club. For more information about this event, visit www.youthclassic.org.