Connor Filgas makes a tackle during this past football season while Laten Butler anticipates the play.
The 3rd Annual Merced County All-Star Football Classic will be held on Saturday, June 13, at Veterans Stadium at Golden Valley High School in Merced where several athletes from Mariposa County High School will be participating.
The event features both a Girls Flag Football All-Star game and a Varsity Boys Football All-Star game with the flag football game taking place at 5:30 p.m. followed by the football game at 7:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are available for purchase online through GoFan.com at a cost of $13.60 for adults and $7 for students.
Tickets will be available on game day at the gate for $15 for adults and $7 for students.
The event features graduating seniors from across the region split into North and South squads.
Athletes participating in the flag football game from MCHS include Juniper Helling,
Celina Heard, Marley Gediman and Dakota Costa.
“I got to play last year and it was just a really awesome experience,” Heard said.
Celina Heard is pictured during this past season of flag football. Photo by Tammi Richards
“I’m pretty excited to go again and that I also get to do it with Marley and Juniper.”
Heard, Helling and Gediman are seniors who were selected this year but as a freshman, Costa is the youngest of the group.
“I think it’s so awesome that Dakota was picked as a freshman,” Heard explained.
“You don’t really see that very often.”
Laten Butler and Connor Filgas will be playing in the varsity boys football game.
“I was pretty excited to hear I got picked,” Butler said.
“I’m pretty stoked to be able to go.”
This is Filgas’ first All-Star appearance.
“It’s exciting but a little nerve wracking,” Filgas said.
“It’s a little surprising but it’ll be fun to play one last game.”
The MCHS varsity flag football team, along the varsity football team, were Southern League Champs for the 2025- 2026 season.
Organizers have designed this event not only to showcase local talent but also to provide scholarships to participating student athletes.
Marley Gediman and Juniper Helling are pictured during flag football practice earlier this year. Photos by Amanda White
The North Team will be coached by Livingston High School staff, featuring players from Atwater, Buhach Colony, Hilmar, Livingston, Gustine, Delhi, Los Banos, Pacheco, Patterson, Orestimba, Turlock, Pitman and Denair.
The South Team will be coached by Merced High School staff, featuring players from Golden Valley, Merced, El Capitan, Dos Palos, Le Grand, Mariposa, Sonora, Summerville, Stone Ridge Christian, Chowchilla, Madera, Madera South and Torres.
Dakota Costa is shown during game action this past season.
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