Stars come out for scouts and empty seats

Nick Christensen

Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 | 9:07 a.m.

Despite attendance more fit for a high school football stadium, organizers of Saturday's Las Vegas All-American Classic said they plan on returning with a better game next year.

A crowd of around 1,500, many of whom were parents of the numerous youth dance groups that were part of pregame and halftime performances, came out to the event. The game was played the previous two years as the Paradise Bowl at Utah's Hansen Stadium in Sst. George, Utah. The game attracted 7,650 fans last year in St. George.

But despite the decreased draw at the gate, the game's promoters seemed convinced Las Vegas and a postseason all-star game are a perfect match.

"Sure we have dreams of having 20,000 people in the stands," said Darry Alton, the game's CEO. "It doesn't quite work like that in a major city without a major football tradition."

Instead, Alton based the success of this year's game on the NFL scouts and prospective talent that attended. Despite a slow game that ended in a 14-7 West all-star win, Alton thought that on that end, the game was a hit.

"Overall, the NFL liked what they saw," he said. "We had more scouts than the Hula Bowl. That makes us the No. 3 game. Now we have to knock off the East-West game."

The Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine games are considered the top postseason games for NFL hopeful college seniors.

Utah senior Brandon Warfield, who rushed for 41 yards in only one series despite playing with a brace on his leg, said he felt the game was his last chance to showcase his skills to scouts.

"You always see scouts at the practices, and I was looking forward to it every day," Warfield said. "That's why it got as many players as it did."

The game attracted talent such as Oregon quarterback Jason Fife, Notre Dame wide receiver Omar Jenkins, and Washington State running back Jermaine Green. Division I-AA and II standouts and overshadowed second stringers also participated.

UNLV was represented by center Dominic Furio, and wide receiver David Relf, who was listed in the game's program as a practice player.

Alton said the game drew 117 football players altogether.

"I kind of act like a hotel or an airline, I overbook the team," Alton said. "We invited 120 players, we expected around 100, and 117 showed... We had seven New York Giants scouts, four Colts scouts, six Rams and Steelers scouts. With this many scouts in Las Vegas... we'll get to pick and choose who we want."