Lions All-Stars kick off Saturday

The South looks to end a six-year losing streak Saturday when it takes on the North in the 36th Central Valley Lions All-Star Football Classic, one of the oldest all-star games in California.

The South's top players include tailback Nicky Batteate (Oakdale), linemen Mason Russell (Turlock) and Bubba McGill (Modesto), and linebacker Carl Jameson (Hilmar).

The game pits Stanislaus and Merced county players against their peers from the foothills and San Joaquin County. The North won 27-21 last year for a 21-13-1 series lead.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at the University of the Pacific. The coaches are Dennis Stubbs of Los Banos and Scott Swartz from McNair of Stockton.