Local coach is spirit of surviving all-star game

Only a handful of summer All-Star football games exist in the state. Cal-Hi Sports recently tabbed them a dying breed.
Yet, the Silicon Valley Youth Classic, which kicks off for the 31st time at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at San Jose City College, still thrives. - College Football -
A called the Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Game, it pits many of the top 2005 graduated players from Santa Clara County.
Some of the more famous former participants include present and former NFL players Jeff Garcia, Doug Cosbie, Jeff Ulbrich and Pat Tillman.
How has this game survived while most struggle to stay alive?
Local coaches point to Wedemeyer, a devoted sponsor in the Almaden Valley Rotary Club and the game's spread-the-wealth philosophy.
"They really make sure all the schools in the area get represented," said Valley Christian coach Mike Machado, who has coached in three of the games. "It gets everyone in the community involved."
Said Pioneer head coach Mark Krail, who will coach the South team: "There's not a win-at-all-cost feeling out there. It's just a good, clean time and great opportunity to showcase these kids and give them one last shining moment."
The game benefits numerous local charities, including ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), one which afflicts but not deters Wedemeyer. - College Football -
The former Hawaii prep football star -- once named the state's "Player of the Decade" by a local newspaper -- and starter at Michigan State, Wedemeyer was diagnosed with ALS in 1977 while coaching Los Gatos High.
Doctors gave him three years to live, but he's still flourishing. He continues to help Los Gatos' freshman team despite not being able to walk or talk (his wife Lucy reads lips and translates), and he is totally dependent on a respirator to breathe.
"His spirit and mind are incredible," Machado said. "How could you not possibly be inspired by watching him live his life?" - College Football -
Charlie and Lucy Wedemeyer's lives have been well-chronicled in a PBS documentary, a made-for-TV movie and an autobiographical book, "Charlie's Victory." He's a worldwide motivational speaker and each year coaches a flag- football game for the wives of 49ers players.
As well known as he has become, only one game carries his name, which is one of the reasons he speaks -- through Lucy -- to both teams before each game.
"He's not just a nameplate or figurehead for the game," Machado said. "His presence is the game and all it represents." - College Football -
Close calls: The last four games, three which were won by the South, have been decided by a touchdown or less, including a 20-15 South win last July.
This year's game figures to be run versus pass. Led by quarterbacks Erik Rollin (Los Gatos), Nathan Ford (Palo Alto) and Kiel Trudeau (Leigh), along with a host of strong receivers, the North will come out throwing.
The North is flooded with outstanding running backs, led by Burton Iosefa (Oak Grove), Hasaan Jackson (Mt. Pleasant), Steven Pinon (Piedmont Hills) and Marlon Rosales (Santa Teresa).
"Those guys are all real athletic," Krail said. "We plan to use them all night."
Golf central: Numerous local boys, including Joseph Bramlett (St. Francis), Jordan Cox (Serra) and Roberto Galletti (De La Salle), continue play today at the 58th U.S. Golf Association Junior Amateur at Long Meadow (Mass.) Country Club. - College Football -
On Monday, Galletti had the top local score at even-par 70 (tied for 24th). Stroke play among the 156 players concludes today with the top 64 advancing to Wednesday's first round of match play. The tourney concludes Saturday. - College Football -
The same format is set for the 57th Junior Girls Amateur at BanBury Golf Club in Eagle, Idaho.
Among the top Bay Area entries are Joanne Lee (Carlmont), Christina Corpus (San Leandro), Emily Childs (Alameda), Christine Hirano (Pinole Valley) and Ki-Shui Liao (Alameda).
Corpus is tied for third after a 4-under 67 on Monday. Liao is tied for 44th at 74, and Childs and Hirano are tied for 57th at 75. - College Football -
-- The 77th San Francisco Junior Open begins today and goes through Thursday at Lincoln Park Golf Course. It is the oldest junior tournament in the nation.
Briefly: Longtime Wallenberg girls basketball coach Aki Kuwada has left to take the same job at Lowell. ... Maxpreps.com has signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with the CIF and its Section, Regional and State championship events. The national Internet site, which is based in Cameron Park near Sacramento, is now the official licensee for action photos of CIF playoffs. ... The Sonoma Fencing Academy, featuring Ben Anderson (Sonoma Academy), Sam Perkins (Petaluma), Alex Simmons (Sonoma Valley) and Forrest MacDougall (home-schooled), won the under-20 gold medal at the 10-day U.S. National Championships, which concluded last week in Sacramento. - College Football -

Mitch Stephens