CALIFLORIDA BOWL: CALIFORNIA RARE UNDERDOG STATE LOADED WITH TALENT, BUT FOR ONCE, FAVORITE IS FLORIDA IN ALL STAR GAME.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

GOLETA - It would appear California high school football reigns supreme, considering the state's 6-0 record over Texas in the annual Cal-Tex Shrine Game, coupled with last year's 11-point victory over Florida in the inaugural CaliFlorida Bowl.

However, in CaliFlorida Bowl II, which starts 1 p.m. today at UC Santa Barbara's Harder Stadium, California is an underdog for perhaps the first time.

The Californians, coached by Jon Mack of St. Bonaventure of Ventura, have loads of talent, including record-setting running back Tyler Ebell of Ventura.

Quarterbacks David Koral of Palisades and Matt Leinart of Mater Dei of Santa Ana, lineman Robert Cleary of Temescal Canyon of Lake Elsinore, defensive backs Matt Ware of Loyola, Dominic Robinson of Diamond Bar and Jabril Raymo of Beverly Hills and linebackers Marvin Simmons of Long Beach Poly and Michael Craven of La Quinta all are considered among the nation's top 125, according to USA Today.

But Florida also has much talent, notably quarterback Adrian McPherson (Brandenton), Florida's ``Mr. Football'' and ``Mr. Basketball,'' along with heralded receivers Charles Frederick (Pope John Paul II of Boca Raton) and Crophonso Thorpe (Lincoln of Tallahassee) and a coterie of impressive defenders such as linebacker Willie Jones (Carol City of Miami) and end Ovience St. Preux (Immokalee).

``On paper, when you go down the list, Florida has the edge 100 percent,'' event organizer Chuck Price said. ``Adrian McPherson was the marquee player we wanted from day one. Back when the team was first selected in February, McPherson was our first priority. And Florida's defense makes last year's team look like a bunch of frosh-soph guys.''

It's seven consecutive all-star victories has California brimming with confidence, despite new participants every year.

``Florida has good players, but to be honest, I think their talent is a little bit overrated,'' Ebell said. ``We'll still win. We have the best players.''

No matter the outcome, CaliFlorida Bowl II should feature plenty of offense. The defenses are ristricted on blitzes and nickel coverages.

A closer look at the best this game has to offer:

--Ebell, who is going to UCLA, rushed for a national-record 4,494 yards and scored 64 touchdowns - last season.

--Koral, headed to Vanderbilt, passed for 4,907 yards in just 11 games - third in national history - including a record 764 in one game.

--Simmons, who is going to USC, had 200 tackles, 15 sacks and 20 forced fumbles.

--Ware, dominant at both quarterback and defensive back, is USA Today's No. 1 safety. The UCLA signee also ran a 10.78 100-meter dash and was drafted in the 21st round of the baseball draft by the Seattle Mariners - even though he didn't play baseball as a senior.

--McPherson, who is going to Florida State, passed for 3,727 yards and 42 touchdowns, ran for 765 yards and eight touchdowns - and averaged 35 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in basketball.

--Thorpe, who will join McPherson at FSU, caught 64 passes for more than 1,000 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, four on kick returns.

CAPTION(S):

2 boxes

Box:

(1) CALIFORNIA

(2) FLORIDA