Rubber Match: CaliFlorida Bowl III

The nation’s premier high school football all-star game is just two weeks away and rivalries between the California and Florida squads are heating up as California seeks to avenge a close CaliFlorida Bowl II loss and break the series tie.

In a game highlighted by high school football all stars from California and Florida, the nation's top college football recruiting states, players from both sides are eager to let their counterparts know that they're coming ready to play.

The third annual CalFlorida Bowl Game, benefiting the Ronald McDonald House, is January 2nd at El Camino College in Torrance with game time set for 2:30 p.m. PST (5:30 p.m. EST). The game, televised regionally on FOX Sports Net 2, will feature numerous players who will compete at the collegiate level with several of last year's participants playing for such prestigious schools as Miami, Florida State, UCLA, USC, Tennessee and Georgia.

Several players will announce their commitments during the game, so tune into Fox Sports Net and check StudentSports.com for updates.

The Florida All Stars earned a thrilling 17-14 victory in the CaliFlorida Bowl II on June 23rd at UCSB's Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara after Florida intercepted a pass from the California quarterback on the Florida 20-yard line with just 25 seconds remaining to tie the series. Two years ago, California survived a tough battle against the Florida All-Stars and won the inaugural game 21-11 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Widely regarded as the No. 1 quarterback in the country and arguably the top prep athlete in the country, California quarterback Ben Olson (Thousand Oaks) said that the Golden State squad is ready to avenge their earlier last-second loss to the Florida squad. Those thoughts were echoed by California wide receiver Terry Richardson of Centennial High School.

"I think we definitely have the best players," Richardson said. "To me, the players from Florida are always a little over-hyped. They may have the speed, but I think we have more skill than they do. This is the best California team out of all three games and I think we're going to take it and break the tie."

Florida quarterback Gavin Dickey, from Lincoln High (Tallahassee), said he believes that Florida will earn a repeat victory against the California All Stars. Through 10 games of the 2001 season, Dickey had passed for nearly 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns, combined with 740 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. A recent Student Sports Elite 11 Quarterback Camp attendee, Dickey is one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the country and has narrowed his choices to Notre Dame, Miami, Georgia Tech and USC.

"I'm really looking forward to coming to California to play against some really great athletes, but I would have to say the one thing that separates the athletes from California and Florida is that in Florida, I think we have a little more heart," Dickey said. "We leave everything we have on the field. Plus, the speed of the game is so much faster. My prediction for the game is it will come down to a field goal, but it will be a high scoring game."

Although the past two CalFlorida Bowl games have been played during the summer, Air Seven Sports President Steve Clarkson said that staging the game the day before the January 3rd BCS National College Football Championship at the Rose Bowl between Miami and Nebraska will enable the company to better showcase these top prep athletes.

"We knew that there would be a lot of excitement in Southern California this year with the Rose Bowl hosting the National Championship, and these marquee players deserve the opportunity to play during a time when country will be turning to California for the best football played by today's student-athletes," Clarkson said. "We decided to move the game from Santa Barbara, where it was played in June, to Torrance because of the proximity to Los Angeles and the area's two airports (LAX and John Wayne International Airport). This is one of the most anticipated all star games of the year because it really gives high school football fans a chance to see who the college football stars of tomorrow will be.

"You figure that a large percentage of all Division-I players come from the states of California and Florida, so this is a great way to celebrate the accomplishments of these future stars and get excited about what they'll do at the next level."

Student Sports Director of Recruiting Greg Biggins estimated that 93 percent of last year's CaliFlorida Bowl players signed with Division-I football schools. As an example of CaliFlorida Bowl alumni being successful at the collegiate level, Adrian (A.D.) McPherson - who was the first high school player ever voted Florida's Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball - was named the CaliFlorida Bowl II MVP after completing 14 of 21 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Currently a freshman at Florida State, McPherson is the No. 2 quarterback for the Seminoles behind Chris Rix, who played in the inaugural CaliFlorida Bowl Game.

Bill Buchalter, legendary prep writer for the Orlando Sentinel, said that June's CaliFlorida Bowl II was "one of the best all stars games I've ever seen" and Clarkson said that he expects the same high-intensity contest with the CaliFlorida Bowl III.

"(CaliFlorida Bowl II) was everything we could have hoped for in a game--hard play, an exciting finish and all the players really had a lot of fun participating," Clarkson said. "I think that's the best thing for those of us who are responsible for putting the game together, being able to see these young stars have fun and get to play against athletes their own age from another state. Many of the players remain friends long after the CaliFlorida Bowl Game is over, and that's very gratifying to know."

For a complete list of the California and Florida team rosters, go to studentsports.com

About Air 7 Sports

Air 7 Sports is a Southern California based Sports Marketing Firm, with a strong emphasis in football. From training players individually, to staging camps, clinics, all-star games and combines, Air 7 has developed a network of strong relationships at all levels in the football community. Founder Steve Clarkson (San Jose State, Denver Broncos) has worked closely in the development of J.J. Stokes, Casey Clausen, Chris Rix, Perry Klein and John Walsh among many other athletes.

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