DEL MAR AND WESTMONT PLAYERS IN ALL STAR GAME

Del Mar and Westmont football players to represent their schools in 32nd Annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game

Class of 2006 Del Mar High School Alumni, Emmanuel Sellu, Emilio Hernandez, and Brian Josefowicz, as well as Class of 2006 Westmont High School Alumnus Chantz Staden have been selected to represent their high schools in the 32nd Annual Silicon Valley Youth Classic, Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. at San Jose City College.

They will join the North team as they try to add a 13th overall win against the South Squad, which currently hold 17 wins total. The teams are composed of the best graduating high school football players in the Silicon Valley.

Emmanuel Sellu, a 5-11, 195 pound running back, received Honorable Mention All Mercury News the past two years, First Team All League (RB) Blossom Valley Athletic League the past two consecutive years, League Most Valuable Player, and National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award. The Del Mar Dons awarded him Most Valuable Player. Sellu is an Honor Roll student (3 years) and was awarded the Certificate of Appreciation from US Senator Boxer. He is currently undecided in his plans for the fall.

“Sellu knows how to use the blockers and explodes out of the hole,” said North head coach Carlos Boles. “ He creates problems for the opposing team because he’s very hard for defenses to take down.”

Emilio Hernandez, a 6-0, 180 pound wide receiver/ free safety, was named First Team All League BVAL, League Utility Player of the Year, and National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award. He has also been an Honor Roll student for three years. He is currently undecided in his plans for the fall.

“Emilio is a hard worker,” said Boles. “He gets in there and gives all he has. He knows how to get open for the pass, and takes off once he has the ball in his hands.”

Brian Josefowicz, a 6-1, 200 pound defensive/ tight end, was named First Team All League (DL) BVAL. He will be attending Foothill College in the fall.

“Brian defensively puts pressure on the quarterback, and offensively catches passes from the quarterback. He is so good it’s difficult to decide which one we want him to play at,” said Boles.

Chantz Staden, a 5-11, 190 pound wide receiver/ free safety, was named First Team All Mercury News (DB) for the past two consecutive years, First Team All League (DB) in the Blossom Valley Athletic League for the past two years, League Most Valuable Offensive Player, and First Team All NorCal. He also received Defensive Player of the Year by Sports Focus, Offensive Player of the Week by Cal-Hi Sports, Cal-Hi Sports Rivals Medium School All State Multi-Purpose Player, and State Defensive Player of the Week by Cal-Sports.com. The Westmont Warriors recognized him as their Most Valuable Player. Staden last year was named Junior of the Year. Staden intercepted seven passes, including four in one game for the Warriors. He rushed for 704 yards in 85 carries, caught 52 passes for 785 yards, had 636 return yards, scored 20 touchdowns and totaled 2,224 all-purpose yards in 10 games. He is currently undecided in his plans for the fall.

“Chantz is one of those stand out, make a big difference type of players when he steps on to the field. These past couples of years he has really shined. He’s a threat both on offense and defense. His determination and drive make him untouchable,” said Boles.

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.