Bucks County All-Stars Back to the Gridiron This Week

When Bensalem High School quarterback Kevin Hopkins takes the first couple snaps Thursday night, it may be a little disorienting to see former rivals from Neshaminy and Pennsbury high schools fighting to become an open target.

It's a sight he will have to get used to quickly if he wants to help the rest of the Bucks County South All-Stars come out victorious in the Bob Sands Memorial Bucks County Lions Football Classic. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Harry S Truman High School for the 37th annual game. Unlike the NFL's Pro Bowl game, where the players notoriously take it a little too easy, these high school seniors play for keeps.

"We get pretty competitive," said Hopkins. "We definitely don't want to lose to players from Pennridge and CB West."

After practicing for the past two weeks at Neshaminy High School, any uncertainty should be drilled out of Hopkins, but just in case, he can always rely on his best friend and fellow Bensalem teammate, wide receiver Donnie Reed. They haven't seen the end zone since the regular season ended in the fall, but their experience together should prevent the duo from missing a step.

"It will take a little getting used to, being back in the game," said Reed. "We had to learn the playbook all over again, but I know everything he's going to do before he does it."

Neshaminy High School Football Head Coach Mark Schmidt is the one devising the playbook for the South team, with players from schools including Council Rock, Morrisville, Conwell-Egan.

Quakertown High School Football Head Coach George Banas is in charge of the North team and managing players from Central Bucks, William Tennent, Archbishop Wood, Pennridge and New Hope-Solebury.

For Schmidt, one of the biggest challenges is putting together a game plan that will allow quality play time on the field for each of more than 40 players.

"These guys are used to being stars for their teams and playing every snap," said Schmidt. "My goal is to get everybody at least 14 to 25 plays. It's important that everybody remembers that only 11 can play at a time and that we all have to pull the rope in the same direction. The best thing is to get over it and when your it's your turn on the field, you do it as hard as you can."

This is the 38th year the Bucks County Lions Club has hosted the All-Star Classic. As the coaches prepare the teams, volunteers from the Lions Club handle everything else, from ticket sales and concession stand management to drumming up publicity. Proceeds from the fundraiser help benefit Lions Club charities.

"Originally, the money went to the American Cancer Society," said Joe Warner, vice president of the Southampton-Warminster Lions Club. "Now it goes to organizations that help the sight- and hearing-impaired. We average about $10,000 a year, with the highest we ever reached was $24,000."

The Bob Sands Memorial Bucks County Lions All-Star Football Classic kicks off on June 6 (rain date June 8) at 7:30 p.m. at Harry S Truman High School, 3001 Green Ln., Levittown. Tickets cost $5, with free admission offered to Bucks County Lions All-Star alumni.