Two former Point Loma High School football players, also best friends off the field, had one final chance to showcase their skills before embarking on distinctly different collegiate paths. Quarterback Sean McKaveney and his center, Marty Gelenter, represented the Pointers in the 21st annual Alex Spanos All-Star Classic football game, matching the county’s top graduated prep players July 8 at Mesa College. Playing for a well-prepared South team, both played vital roles in a resounding 27-7 thrashing of an often out-of-sync North squad. For Gelenter, the night had to be one of mixed emotions. The large (6-foot-4, 270-pound) lineman, whose hair and beard earned him the nickname “Big Red,” was marking his “retirement” from football. Recently named top male citizen at PLHS, he will enter the University of California, Berkeley in several weeks as a chemical engineering student. McKaveney, on the other hand, hopes to win the starting job at Claremont McKenna College next year. His plans, however, may have suffered a blow when he sustained a possibly serious knee injury just before halftime. “The trainers told me they think I might have torn my ACL,” McKaveney said. “I have a lot of the symptoms, but we are going to see the Chargers’ head doctor this week to have it checked out.” Coached by Tom Karlo and his Mt. Miguel football staff, the South used an effective passing offense and punishing rushing attack to score on its first four possessions to take a 20-0 lead at the break. McKaveney was at the helm on the first two drives, resulting in the game’s first 10 points. Both former Pointers praised the Matador coaching staff, who had clearly succeeded in blending the players from many schools into a unified group. “We had a lot of competition at practice,” said Gelenter. “There were a lot of good guys on the South, and we were well-prepared for the game.” Echoing Gelenter, McKaveney said, “They created a fast tempo with lots of one-on-one drills. They were really good coaches and we were ready both physically and mentally.” But there was also time for plenty of good-natured ribbing as the PLHS players reminded their Mt. Miguel mentors of the Pointers’ overwhelming 34-10 CIF quarterfinal playoff win over the Matadors last November on a frigid night in Spring Valley. The spirited practices led to the South using big hits and fumble recoveries on defense along with a balanced offensive attack to give their packed side of the stands plenty to cheer about. The North averted the humility of a shutout with a score just 6:14 before time expired. The South roster also included two players from Western League-foe Madison. The Warhawks were forced to forfeit numerous victories last year, including a 33-7 blowout at the Pointers’ homecoming en route to a CIF championship. The forfeits, for use of an ineligible player, are still being appealed. “The competition on the field was probably equal to anything I’ll see in college just because everyone here was an all-star,” McKaveney said after the game, his knee wrapped in ice. “I came out prepared for a lot more from the North,” Gelenter said. “They brought it tough, but we were prepared for more.” The victory brought the series a bit closer, the North now holding a 10-7 advantage since the current format was begun in 1995. For the first four years, the game matched players from 2A and 3A schools. Pointer head coach Mike Hastings led the South to a 14-0 win in 2007. It was an ideal exit for Gelenter, who said, “I got to play the whole game on offense and end with a win on my last game. Not many people get to do that. It felt good.”