It first comes as an honor – to be selected among the best high school football players in New Jersey. Just getting the chance to be picked to participate in the New Jersey Football Coaches Association’s North-South All-Star Classic is a privilege that only a select few get to enjoy.
Then, it becomes a golden opportunity, to play one last high school football game, to put on the helmet and pads and take one last shot at playing on the high school level, before moving on to the respective collegiate fields of play.
For some, the game might represent one last chance to impress a college recruiter, perhaps get a chance to go to school for free.
And finally, it becomes a chance to experience camaraderie with new teammates, with guys who were perhaps foes during the regular season and state playoffs, only to rally together for a geographical sense of state pride and unity.
For nearly 30 years, that’s what the North-South All-Star game has meant to thousands of high school seniors. It has been a talent showcase for all to see, under the bright lights at Rutgers Stadium.
Five local products were given that opportunity last week, namely Michael Dupree of Ferris, John Solan of St. Peter’s Prep, Ralph Pedragon of Hoboken, David Castro of North Bergen, and Joan "J.Q." Quezada of Emerson. They were selected to represent the North squad in the game, which was scheduled to be played last Thursday night at Rutgers.
St. Peter’s Prep head coach Rich Hansen served as the defensive coordinator for the North squad.
"We had a tremendous week of practice," Hansen said. "We had a great group of kids. We were ready to play, practicing for four straight days in 100 degree temperatures. These kids sacrificed a lot and we were ready to put a great product on the field."
However, a few hours before kickoff Thursday night, the skies opened. The heavy downpour and threats for more thunderstorms forced organizers to cancel the game.
"There was talk to postpone the game for a day and play it Friday afternoon," Hansen said. "But after we did an informal polling of the players, there were like eight from the North and seven from the South who had different commitments for the weekend. It made playing the game impossible. It couldn’t be done."
So, for the first time in the game’s history, it was totally cancelled. There was one instance where the game was halted at halftime because of thunderstorms, but at least, there was a half of football for the players’ hard work.
This time, the kids got nothing.
"To have the whole thing fall apart like that after they worked so hard," Hansen said. "It’s really sad. I felt really bad for the kids. It was such an emotional downer for the kids. There were a lot of tears being shed. They were ready to play. They hurt badly that they couldn’t play."
Hansen said all five Hudson County products played well during the week of practice.
"The Hudson County kids represented themselves well," Hansen said. "They were practicing and learning. They were all going to have big roles on this team."
While Solan (Iona), Pedragon (American International College) and Quezada (University of Maine) have their college plans etched in stone, the game represented a final chance for players like Castro and especially Dupree, a ferocious talent who may have to attend Lackawanna Junior College to get a chance to play major college football somewhere down the road.
"I think the game being cancelled hurt a kid like Dupree more than anyone," Hansen said. "He was having a great week of practice. He was primed to have a very big game. Pedragon was also playing well. He’s a great kid. They all did such a great job. It’s such a shame."
Sometimes, the football gods and Mother Nature just don’t agree. In this case, some worthy kids have been deprived. – Jim Hague