Riverside, Calif., — All-star games are some of most exciting times in sports, and it has always been an honor for athletes to be a part of something so special and unique. However, to be able to coach such impressive athletes holds even more weight when you get to be able to have some of the best talent in the county in your helms.

            In the third annual 215 All-Star Classic, coach Brad Schwab of Calvary Murrieta High School will call the shots for Riverside County, and the opposite end coach Matt Hoek of Ontario Christian High School will call the game for San Bernardino County. These two coaches are very familiar with one another as they face each other each year during the season.

            “We know each other pretty well,” said coach Hoek. “I’ve been playing [against] him for the past eight years in our regular season schedule. He gives me a hard time because he tries to figure what we’re in…but he’s a good guy and I enjoy him as a coach and a man to.”

Both coaches stress the importance of this game for the players and what this means for all of them as it could potentially be their last game of their careers. As they come into these games, they change their whole approach of coaching. As much as they still want to win this game, they rather focus on the learning experience and fun that the game brings for these special athletes to send off their last high school moment with a lasting ending.

Factoring in the short amount of time both coach Hoek and coach Schwab have to work with to get the players ready and on the same page with one another, they deserve a tremendous amount of credit as they put together an entertaining show and give a new perspective to many of the new faces they coach for what is next in life.

“I like the experience for the guys that are playing at the next level,” coach Schwab said.” It’s an opportunity for them to see a whole different coaching staff and see how things may be completely different from what they’ve been coached for the last four years, and prepare them for when they go to college.”

In the Farewell for the Class of 2019, the Riverside team topped the San Bernardino team 22-7 in the 3rd. annual 215 All-Star Football Classic, presented by Fox Sports Radio AM1350.

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The series is now 2-1 in favor of San Bernardino.  Orange Vista’s star Tailback (Game MVP), wowed the crowd with two electrifying touchdowns, leading the Riverside team to victory.  Coaches for the game, Brad Schwab of Calvary Murrieta (Riverside, CA) and Matt Hoek of Ontario Christian (San Bernardino, CA).

During halftime, Coach Greg Zomalt (Orange Vista – Perris, CA), was named 215 Coach of the Year (Lower Division – Riverside/San Bernardino) and senior Tailback, Kayvionta Patterson was named 215 Player of the Year.

This is an all-star game that focuses on schools in Riverside & San Bernardino County that participate in the lower divisions.

Pictures: Felisha Carrasco