LOCAL PLAYERS TO END PREP CAREERS IN ALL-STAR CONTEST.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

Local football players give one last hurrah in grand style today in the 10th annual East-West All-Star Game at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m.

Hart's Robbie Casselberry, Patrick Sarkissian, Jackson Smith, Ricky Vittallo, James Wheeler and Troy Yudin and Valencia's M.J. Robotham are participating for the West, and Canyon's Matt Brown and Garrett Leary for the East.

The event not only brings many of the top players from the Daily News coverage area together, it also raises money to support the Valley Youth Conference, where many youth players who've played in the East-West game through the years have been given their start.

``It's for a good cause, and it's pretty exciting to meet the other players because there's a lot of kids out here,'' Yudin said. ``I've really enjoyed the practices. They're fun, and the whole team looks good.''

This is the chance for graduated seniors to represent their team and community one last time, and the event usually features some long touchdowns and spectuclar hits, as these elite players have been itching for six months to get back on the field.

``It will be pretty cool to wear Hart's helmet but it's kind of awkward to wear a different color uniform,'' Yudin said. ``Plus, I'm on the same side with M.J. after playing against him for four years. It'll be fun.''

For many of the players, this will be the last game. Others have committed to college football scholarships, so the all-star event feels like a last high school celebration.

Then there are those like Yudin, a top receiver this past season at perhaps California's most storied passing program. Yudin, who totaled 74 receptions for 1,210 yards and 13 touchdowns to help Hart to a the Southern Section Div. II final in December, has no firm scholarship offers. A terrific performance by Yudin today could put him over the top.

Meanwhile, Yudin has harvested possible college connection during practice this week under the guidance of West coach Ben McEnroe of Chamanade High of West Hills.

``The Chaminade coaches are trying to get me to play at Lehigh in Pennsylvania, which would be great,'' Yudin said.

Robotham is hanging it up after today. The All-Foothill League defensive back plans to concentrate on academics and not play sports in college.

The Canyon kids go against Hart in the latest chapter to the series rivalry.

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

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10th East-West All-Star Football Game