CHICO, CA (MPG) - The 42nd annual Lions All-Star football game kicked off the evening of Saturday, June 22, 2019. Local Gridley and Biggs recently graduated football players participated in the annual game at Chico High School in a matchup between the North and South conferences. The South team, made up of players from high schools like Gridley, Biggs, Chico, Pleasant Valley, Paradise, Las Plumas, Oroville, Hamilton, Durham, and Willows, showcased local stars George Becker (Gridley), Riley Dunning (Gridley), Jorge Moran (Gridley), and Dustin Long (Biggs). The South has won one time in the past ten years of playing in the annual Lions game, until this year’s game                                     

Gridley and Biggs players had a tremendous impact in the overall success of the game for the South. During the first possession for the offense, Dunning completed a 47-yard option pass down the right sideline to set up an opening drive score. After a few carries from Long, Moran punched it in from the 1-yard line for the first points of the game. While on defense Long recovered a fumble from the North to set up great field possession for the South that eventually led to another score. At the conclusion of the first half the South led the North by a score of 13-6.

In the second half, the defense from both sides really stepped up. After the North scored a second touchdown in the third quarter, Moran picked off an attempted 2-point conversion to deny the lead for the North. After that score, the defenses from both teams shut down the offense for the rest of the game. On the last possession for the North, Becker broke through the offensive line and sacked the North quarterback for a loss to help secure the win for the South.

In a quick phone interview with Coach Kemmis, he expressed his feelings about the performance of his former players and Dustin Long’s. Coach Kemmis said he was “extremely proud to see Becker as a team captain, Dunning make a huge play on the first possession for the offense, and Moran punch it in for the first score of the game. That’s something that makes a coach extremely proud to watch.” He also spoke about the performance of Biggs’ Dustin Long, who Kemmis never had the honor to coach. “Long was the best defensive player on the field that night, making some impactful defensive plays.”

George Becker will head off to Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington this fall on a full ride football scholarship. Dustin Long has committed to the College of the Siskiyous to play football. Jorge Moran is planning to pursue his football career at the California State University, Sacramento as a walk on. Riley Dunning is considering walking on with Butte College.

Congratulations to these fantastic athletes and good luck with your future careers.