Players and coaches from around the state gathered in Yakima last week for the annual Earl Barden Classic, including several area athletes and coaches.
Nearly a dozen area athletes competed alongside Onalaska coach Mazen Saade and his coaching staff for the West team, while three W.F. West Bearcats competed alongside W.F. West coach Dan Hill, who was an assistant coach for the East team.
“What an amazing experience it gives not only kids, but coaches around the state,” Saade said. “I was really honored and humbled to be chosen to coach those kids. It meant a lot.”
Coaches arrived in Yakima on Monday, and the players joined them on Tuesday. Throughout the week, they competed alongside each other in practice, and on Saturday, the All-Star Game was played at East Valley High School.
The West got on the board first with a Blaze Underhill touchdown, but the East took the lead with a touchdown before halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Chehalis football fans saw a familiar connection, as Gage Brumfield hit Tucker Land for an 11-yard touchdown. It was the first of three touchdowns in the final frame for the East side, which won the game 28-6.
“We kept talking about having one more ride,” Hill said. “It was special, and it was a lot of fun.”
In addition to Underhill, Rodrigo Rodriguez and Cooper Lawrence represented Onalaska. Karsen Denault, Jack Nelson, Pablo Reudas, and Colin Shields represented Napavine, Cody Strozyk represented Pe Ell-Willapa Valley, and Leland McCree represented Toledo.
Michael Vassar and Rowdie Tafoya represented Tenino, and Carson Rotter represented Rochester.
In addition to Brumfield and Land, Carlos Vallejo competed, and Ross Kelley also earned a spot on the East team.
When discussing the week as a whole, the game itself wasn’t at the top of mind for either Saade or Hill. Instead, it was the week of practices, meetings, and downtime where players and coaches got to talk shop and get to know each other.
“You take these kids from all these schools from around the area, spend the week together, and build these friendships that blossom for a lifetime,” Saade said. “They realize this person might have been my rival on the field, but in reality, they are very similar to who I am.”
Hill echoed a similar sentiment, saying he was appreciative of all the coaches and organizers who gave each kid “one more chance to play together.”
“Being on a staff and finding a way to gel together, teach each other some stuff, and make it work, is a lot of fun,” Hill said.
In addition to coaching alongside his assistants — Wayne Nelson, Kenny Ulery, and Weylin Womack — Saade also served as the Assistant West Director. With Director Tom Sanchez retiring, Saade will step into the Director role next year.
After this past week, he’s already looking forward to it.
“It was a really amazing week,” Saade said. “I would recommend every coach to send their kids if they're invited.”
