Gorman hosting Lions Club all-star game Saturday

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, June 4, 2010 | 7:51 p.m.

The top graduating high school football players from last fall will take the prep gridiron for the last time Saturday during the 39th West Charleston Lions Club High School All-Star Game.

The game, which pits all-league selections from the Sunrise and Sunset regions, is set for 7 p.m. at Bishop Gorman High.

"We are just trying to get everyone on the same page," said Del Sol coach Preston Goroff, the Sunrise coach. "We are trying to come together and put on a good show."

Both coaches — Goroff and Sunset coach Tony Sanchez of Gorman — said they plan on giving everyone equal playing time.

For some, the game serves as their last time strapping on the shoulder pads. Others use it as a chance to showcase their talents for junior-college scouts in attendance.

"When you only have one week to get the kids ready you try to simplify things," Sanchez said. "There is no doubt the kids are having fun."

The game will feature several Division-I players on each team. However, the most notable player, Gorman tight end Xavier Grimble, won't play for the Sunset squad, being pulled by coaches at USC who believe he will be competing for a starting spot with the Trojans this summer.

Grimble's former teammates at state champion Gorman will give the Sunset plenty of weapons, especially on defense.

The Gaels' defensive ends Alex Turner (Stanford) and Ian Bobak (UNLV) will anchor the Sunset defense along with linebacker Evan Palelei (Navy), safety Taylor Spencer (UNLV), defensive tackle Tim Wilkinson (Northern Arizona) and defensive back Johnathan Loyd (Oregon for basketball). Also, Gorman offensive lineman Geoffrey Gibson (Cal) is playing.

"The Sunrise offensive line is going to have a hard time going against the Sunset," Bobak said. "We are going to take it to them."

The Sunrise squad is led by Valley High speedster Garic Wharton (Arizona), Desert Pines wide receiver Eric Tuiloma (UNLV), Del Sol wide receiver Evan Weinstock (Brown) and Green Valley kicker Nolan Kohorst (UNLV). Kohorst booted field goals of 51 and 54 yards as a junior in 2008, and nailed 25 field goals in his three-year career.

"Our goal is to get the ball to the 40 and let (Kohorst) kick 50-yarders all day," Goroff said jokingly.

Goroff, a high school tight end and linebacker, played in the 1991 contest. His team lost, 8-6.

Part of the game's pageantry is team's wearing the Lions Club colors of purple and yellow, along with decals from several schools on their helmets.

"Our coaches are real honored and privileged to be part of the game," Goroff said. "We plan on enjoying every minute of it."