The lobby at the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett was bustling this morning, packed with talented football players who checked in and kicked off a busy week of gridiron fun.
Nearly 60 players (about half on the West team and half on the East team) are in Everett for Saturday’s annual Class 3A/4A East-West All-Star Football Game. The players are recent high school graduates who were selected this past winter by coaches for the prestigious summer event.
Eight players from local Western Conference teams checked in and are ready to play: Arlington’s Andy Smith and Conner Varnell, Jackson’s Taylor Mead, Mariner’s Mychael Tuiasosopo, Cascade’s Chris McGrath, Oak Harbor’s Nick Rouser, Marysville-Pilchuck’s Kyle Bossom and Snohomish’s Loren Danielson.
Meadowdale’s Connor Hamlett, an Oregon State University recruit, was picked to play for the West team but Hamlett, a 6-foot-7 tight end/defensive end, was a no-show this morning. Hamlett called East-West Game coordinator Paul Lawrence Sunday night and told Lawrence he “wasn’t ready” to participate, Lawrence said.
The West team head coach is Mark Stewart, who coached Hamlett at Meadowdale. Stewart said on Monday that Hamlett, a three-sport athlete for the Mavericks, is burned out from a busy senior year and recent graduation activities and needed a break before he reports to Oregon State next week.
West team selection Khayree Johnson of Rainier Beach was also a no-show. Johnson, a 6-2 wide receiver/defensive back, told Lawrence this morning via phone that he would not participate.
Lawrence said he might try to find some last-minute alternates to fill in for Hamlett and Johnson. Instead of dwelling on the late dropouts, Lawrence tried to keep the focus on athletes who were excited to be a part of East-West Football experience.
“The kids that are here want to play,” Lawrence said, “and they are going to have a great time.”
Another West player, Seattle Prep’s Joey DeRitis, was absent this morning. DeRitis, a defensive back/running back, is sick with the flu and it’s unclear if he will participate this week, Lawrence said.
After checking in at the hotel, players were scheduled to undergo physical exams and pose for team photos at Everett Memorial Stadium. The teams’ first practice starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. The East team will be on the main artificial turf field at Everett Memorial and the West team will be on the adjacent grass field.
East-West team practices at Everett Memorial (3721 Oakes Ave.) are open to the public. The schedule this week is:
*Today: 2-5 p.m.
*Tuesday: 9-11 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.
*Wednesday 9-11 a.m.
*Thursday 9-11 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.
*Friday 9-10:45 a.m. and 2-4:30 p.m.
Tickets for the East-West Game are $7. They will be sold before the game Saturday (kickoff is 1 p.m.) at Everett Memorial.
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