Six local players to suit up for South

The 41st Annual Orange County North/South Prep All-Star Football Game

is set for Friday, July 14, at Orange Coast College’s LeBard Stadium.

Gates open at 6 p.m. on game night, and kickoff is slated for 7:15

p.m.

The Independent’s Player of the Year for the 1999 prep football

season, Marina High’s Ray Mietkiewicz, heads a cast of six local players

who will suit up for the South.

The 6-foot-2, 240 Mietkiewicz, the Sunset League’s Back of the Year,

ended a stellar football career at Marina by establishing 11 new school

records, many of which were set during his senior year. Joining

Mietkiewicz on the offensive side of the ball for the South are Edison

receiver Brendan Cornell (6-1, 200) and offensive linemen M.J. Ansel

(6-4, 270) and Manoa Pouono (6-3, 280), both of Marina.

On defense for the South will be Fountain Valley’s two-way player,

Steven Fifita (6-0, 250). The Barons’ Matt Hanson (6-1, 190) will handle kicking duties for the South.

All six players earned Sunset League First Team status last season.

Cornell, Edison’s top receiver, had 28 receptions total 598 yards and

seven touchdowns, with a 21.4 yards per reception average; Ansel,

Marina’s best one-on-one blocker, and Pouono, played on the same side of

the line for the Vikings; Fifita, who also was a bullish fullback for

Fountain Valley, was in on 62 primary tackles, 17 of which were for a

loss, recorded 7 1/2 sacks, and had four fumble recoveries, one of which

was returned for a touchdown; Hanson made good on 53 and 50 yard field

goal attempts last season, was successful on 9 of 16 attempts overall,

and made 24 of 26 conversion kicks.

The South will be coached by Dana Hills’ Scott Orloff, and the North

is under the guidance of Troy’s John Turek. Pre-sale ticket price is $7,

and can be purchased by calling 529-5658. Ticket price at the gate on

game night is $8.