ONE LAST HURRAH ON THE GRIDIRON.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

For Jim Fenwick, it means one thing. For Keijuan Douglas, it means another.

Fenwick, head football coach at Valley College, one of the area's best football programs, has heard some flack since he revived the San Fernando Valley's annual all-star football game.

Seventy-eight of the area's best football players from the City and Southern sections will face off Monday night in the new Monarch Challenge, a resurrection of the Daily News All-Star Game that was discontinued after 1994 because of liability concerns.

Fenwick has heard the whispers from other JC coaches that he has a recruiting advantage. Prospective recruits have seen the campus, practiced on the football field and formed friendships with other players thanks to events like last Saturday's team barbecue.

He also pulled four of the best coaches in the area: Kennedy's Bob Francola and Reseda's Joel Schaeffer for the City Section and Notre Dame's Kevin Rooney and new Malibu coach Rich Lawson for the Southern Section.

``These kids are all in my recruiting area,'' Fenwick said. ``So I could just have a reception with all these kids and invite them here. This gives the kids a chance to end their high school careers in style.''

While he has heard some criticism, it has diminished compared to the accolades he's received from players and coaches. Which brings up Douglas.

The last time the San Fernando tailback/quarterback was heard from, he was consoling teammates after the Tigers were voted out of the City Section 4-A playoffs for using an ineligible player.

Douglas, a 5-foot-9, 185-pounder headed for Eastern Michigan, sees this game as an opportunity to showcase his talents.

``I'm going to show what I was going to do in the playoffs,'' Douglas said. ``I'm treating this as a playoff game.''

Fenwick was able to get some top-notch area players to participate, including Sylmar's Durell Price (UCLA) and Reseda's Ennis Davis (USC) for the City Section and Chaminade's Gabe Crecion (UCLA) and Notre Dame's Troy Garner (USC) from the Southern Section. Even Anwawn Jones, his body still sore from helping Montclair Prep to an appearance in the state basketball finals, is playing, along with Montclair Prep teammate Demetris Green.

``I'm sure glad they came up with this game,'' Green said. ``It's good to get to know players you played against on a personal level. You can talk about if they beat you or if you beat them.''

Fenwick has pulled off the task of gathering the players and conducting practices around busy senior schedules.

``The guys have come out really serious,'' new Chaminade head coach Ed Croson said. ``I think all of them have surprised each other with how talented they are. It's going to be an exciting game - high-scoring.''

The only uncertainty is attendance. Fenwick hopes that a 7 p.m. start on Monday will attract high school students and families. The Daily News game perennially garnered 3,000 to 4,000 fans for a weeknight game in July.

``I hope this can continue next year,'' Fenwick said. ``If the powers let me do it, I'd like to continue it. If other junior colleges want to get involved, then I welcome it. But I do think there should be an all-star game in the San Fernando Valley and I'm glad to hold it.''

AT A GLANCE

What: Monarch Challenge All-Star Football Game

When: Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m.

Where: Valley College

Tickets: $6 for adults, $4 for students

CAPTION(S):

Box

Box: AT A GLANCE (see text)