The 28th Annual Inland Empire All-Star Classic will feature many of the area’s best senior football players on the same field on Jan. 12. This charity event draws from top players at more than 100 high schools in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The Riverside County team features 53 players from 28 schools; 22 are from local Valley schools. All are at least All-League selections.

Southwestern League Champion and CIF-SS runner-up Vista Murrieta is represented by QB Nick Stevens (league’s leading passer with 2316 yards passing and 24 TDs); linebacker Bryce Smith (the area’s leading tackler with 185 tackles and seven sacks); defensive back Treshon Broughton (25 unassisted tackles and two interceptions); and offensive lineman Donnell Toliver.

"I was surprised to be selected," said Toliver, "and I’m looking forward to the competition." Toliver is looking at Weber State, Humboldt, and San Jose State.

"It’s fun to come out and play with and get to know guys you’ve played against all season," said Smith who is still undecided on college options.

The Sunbelt League Champion Heritage Patriots are represented by Defensive MVP linebacker Marvin Hifo and 6’1" 265 pound defensive lineman Julio Calix. Calix was disappointed with the Patriots exit from playoffs, but is excited about his selection for this game. He is interested in the University of Washington and New Mexico State.

Murrieta Valley is providing defensive standouts in lineman Michael Payne who led his team in unassisted tackles and sacks and safety Terin Solomon, the Southwestern League’s Defensive MVP (103 tackles and three interceptions).

"What a great experience," said Payne, who is looking at BYU and New Mexico State. Solomon, an Oregon State-commit, said, "It’s cool; I’m at home on the football field. I’ve played across from Khalil (Sharpe); it feels good to play with him on my side."

Elsinore’s Allan Stubbs was the Sunbelt League’s #3 rusher (1,426 yards) and #3 scorer (112 points) and will also play at cornerback.

"It’s a huge honor to play with Riverside’s best," said Stubbs. He is still exploring options.

The Southwestern League’s Offensive MVP (1,544 yards and 114 pts), running back Justin Harris from Chaparral, is joined by Pumas defensive leader linebacker Kyle Jones (50 tackles, seven sacks), utility/wide receiver Chris Stratton and center-converted-to-tight end Patrick Clifford.

"I’m looking forward to playing with the best and against the best," said Harris, who will attend RCC.

Post-season surprise powerhouse Paloma Valley is sending defensive lineman Matt Orzech (nine sacks) and the Sunbelt League’s Offensive MVP and leading scorer (178 pts) David Solis who rushed for 1838 yards and was second in the league for receiving yards (679).

"This is an honor…better than staying at home and playing video games," said Solis, who is looking at division II schools.

Great Oak’s power running back Jakob Certeza (#2 with 1346 yds and 16 TDs) will also be playing at linebacker. He is interested in Nevada and UC Davis.

"I will play anywhere," said Certeza.

Teammate All-American shot-putter Nick Ponzio can play the line on both sides of the ball and Garrett Ackerman (1st Team All-League Safety) will be handling punting duties. Ackerman was ranked #7 in the state with a 43.2 average. Ponzio has opportunities at Harvard, MIT, Stanford and Cal. Ackerman has interest from Johns Hopkins at safety and USD as a punter.

Temescal Canyon’s versatile Dawson Lindeman was All-League on both sides of the ball at running back and linebacker. He has not yet committed to a college. Perris’ speedster Dallas Deville will play at defensive back; he is undecided.

Temecula Valley’s star lineman 6’6" 260 pound Adison Pulsipher was also All-League on both offense and defense.

"It’s great to have an opportunity to play one more time," said Pulsipher, who will not play again for three years (BYU-commit with a two-year mission and a grey shirt year).

Rounding out the Valley’s roster of top talent is wide receiver Khalil Sharpe from Mesa Murrieta, who reset the area’s record for career receptions at 190. He is also undecided.

The Riverside County team also features top players from CIF Champion Centennial, Rancho Verde, Jurupa Valley, JW North, Corona, Beaumont, LaSierra, Citrus Hill, Santiago, Norco, Roosevelt, Notre Dame, Arlington, Rubidoux, Poly, and King high schools.

The Riverside County team is coached by Ryan Tukua, Chaparral Head Coach for the last two years.

"Overall, it’s an honor to be a part of the game. Our staff is excited to coach and interact with some of the best players in the county and try and make the whole week an enjoyable and memorable experience for every kid. For some of the kids in the game it will be their last time ever playing, which makes the event special as well. It’s also fun for the kids to play on the same team as kids they have competed against during Pop Warner and high school," said Tukua.

San Bernardino County teams are also loaded with talent; their running backs include 4000-yd rusher Jacob Taylor from Rim of the World (6,893 career yards), Dontel James (Summit) and Marquette Washington (Kaiser).

Upland’s Nate Romine (Upland) will share QB duties with Daniel Eppserson (Serrano) and Jimmy Walker (Redlands). Upland’s Anthony Romero and REV’s Blake Braun will star at tight end. ASU-commit 6’4" 300 pound James Cameron from Etiwanda and 6’5" tackles Paul Ramirez (270 pounds, Rialto) and Desjon Burroughs (325 pounds, Cajon) will lead the offensive line. UCLA-recruit 6’2" 300 pound Kenny Clark will anchor the defensive line with Rancho Cucamonga’s Latus (Alani and Vilimi) filling the holes at linebacker.

In addition to football, pre-game and half-time performances will include cheer, hip-hop, pom, dance teams and mascots from Corona, Santiago, Martin Luther King, Ramona and other schools. Shows are coordinated and partially choreographed by Kristy Kane Mapes of the Kane Dance Academy in Riverside. Also participating are the bands from Chaparral and Kaiser high schools.

"What a great event to showcase the area’s best talent," said Craig Reddinger, Athletic Market Development Associate for Gatorade. "Gatorade G-Force is proud to support this game and provide our prime, performance, and recovery products as well as nutritional education to high school athletes." Gatorade is only one of dozens of sponsors who support the charity game event.

Kick-off is at 7 p.m. at Corona High School, 1150 West 10th Street, in Corona. Adult tickets are $10; student tickets are $7 and are available at The SPORT Foundation or by calling (951) 274-3455 or (951) 274-3425. Proceeds benefit the youth programs of The SPORT Foundation, who treat thousands of athlete injuries each year at no cost and have provided over $125,000 in scholarships to IE students and athletes.