Physical county makes first half run to collect all-star football victory

After yielding first score, 19 unanswered points prove to be the difference in 19-14 win against the City on June 16 in Fresno

Jon Earnest

Published June 19, 2023 •

9:00 am

FRESNO – The County All-Stars were unfazed by a slow start in the 69th annual City-County All-Star Football Game on June 16.

Despite a City touchdown on the second possession of the game, the County flexed its muscles and scored the next 16 points of the first half. After adding a field goal in the third quarter to go up 19-6, they held on for a 19-14 victory over the City before a large crowd at McLane Stadium.

Using a swarming defense that forced an early turnover and shortened the field, the County cashed in with a pair of touchdown receptions by Kingsburg High’s Trace Jackson. He caught a 12-yard pass out of the backfield and lunged into the end zone early in the second quarter to tie the game at 6, following a fumble recovery by Reedley’s Roman Marquez to give County possession deep in City territory.

After getting the ball back, the County took the lead for good when Central’s Dayton Tafoya hit Jackson in stride out of the backfield and he raced 25 yards into the end zone. After scoring standing up, Jackson held the ball aloft for the fans.

Orange Cove High’s Jose Paredes (13) takes the field with his County All-Star teammates before the start of the 69th annual City-County football game at McLane Stadium in Fresno on June 16. Paredes saw action on special teams for the County during the 19-14 victory. (Jon Earnest)

County All-Star Jamir Galloway (24) from Sanger High acknowledges crowd applause before slapping hands with teammate William Fowler IV (23) of Washington Union before the start of the 69th annual All-Star game on June 16. (Jon Earnest)

County All-Star running back Kannon Campbell (21) of Buchanan High breaks free for a big gain in the first quarter of a 19-14 victory over the City All-Stars in the 69th annual All-Star football game on June 16 at McLane High in Fresno. (Jon Earnest)

County built the lead to 16-6 late in the quarter on a 30-yard field goal by Julio Ayala of Kerman. The City had a chance to score just before halftime, but a long pass was dropped near the goalline.

Ayala added another field goal in the third quarter to make it 19-6, and the County defense was making it stand up with physical, attacking defense. But the City busted a big play in the final quarter when quarterback Ya’J Vance of Edison hit Ramon Ruiz of San Joaquin Memorial for an 83-yard touchdown. A subsequent 2-point conversion pass from Vance to J’Sean Gonzales of Madera narrowed the margin to five points.

County All-Star Jamir Galloway from Sanger High gestures as he slips a face mask tackle during the first quarter of a 19-14 victory over the City in the 69th annual game on June 16 at McLane Stadium in Fresno. (Kenny Goodman)

The City had one final threat late in the game, driving to midfield before an incomplete pass ended the game. The first City score came on a 7-yard TD pass from Vance to Edison teammate John Eubanks.

There were six players on the County team representing Mid Valley Times communities. Reedley High had two players in linebacker Roman Marquez and wide receiver-returner Kahlil Yalong. A third Reedley area player was Immanuel High’s Will Henderson, who played linebacker and special teams.