INLAND FIELDHOUSE

County vs. county all-star football games seem like a good idea, right?

In a best-case scenario, fans can watch future collegians teaming up with regional bragging rights on the line. But at its worst the game is overlooked by that area’s best players and becomes a matchup of B-list talent.

The Inland Empire All-Star Classic has fallen somewhere in between. Not a showcase of the Inland Area’s very best, but not a lame exhibition either.

When the Riverside vs. San Bernardino County all-star football game was created in 1999, all the best players wanted to be a part. Rancho Cucamonga QB Nick Fotia was MVP in 2000, Rialto Eisenhower QB Michael Hawkins was MVP in ’01.

But participation ebbed, and hit rock bottom, when Norco RB Toby Gerhart skipped the game in ’05. Riverside County was shut out in that game, losing 16-0.

And like ’05, this year’s game is also missing the Inland Area’s most prolific player. 

The most notable absence in 2011 is Corona Centennial senior QB Michael Eubank, FOMB’s 2010 Prep Football Player of the Year. A finalist for Mr. Football in California, Eubank is skipping the game after making a commitment to Arizona State two weeks ago.  

Even the coaches agree that player’s attitudes toward the game have changed.

“It’s not as much about county pride as it once was,” San Bernardino County coach Tony Barile told Eric-Paul Johnson of The Press Enterise.

And he’s absolutely right. Mostly because the Area’s best player(s) aren’t participating.

If the Area’s brightest star (Eubank) is as good a teammate as everyone says, then why isn’t he joining Centennial teammates Barrinton Collins, Jacob Olsson, Eric Finney and Deji Olajide in the game?

As usual, San Bernardino County has all of its best players in attendance, including San Bernardino Cajon senior QB Thomas Carter (6-3, 195) and Fontana Summit senior QB Devon Blackmon (6-4, 205).

Is the game just not that attractive for the best players from Riverside? And if it isn’t, can the game still be considered All-Star caliber if it does not have all its stars?