Dasmann, defense and big plays lead South over the North in 63rd Optimist All-Star game
Conner Dasmann did what he generally does when he fires of the line of scrimmage in a football game. He attacked. He got in the middle of the action. And then he stood triumphantly afterward, taking none of this sport and what it takes to play it well for granted.
An anchor for the top defensive team in the Sacramento region during the 2022 high school football season, Dasmann earned Bee Defensive Player of the Year honors for ransacking opposing backfields, and the Oak Ridge Trojans leader was true to form in his prep finale on Saturday afternoon.
Under clear and crisp skies inside of Sacramento’s most storied venue, the South beat the North 38-9 in the 63rd Optimist All-Star Football Classic at Hughes Stadium. The charity game for area senior stars was, fittingly, a day for the South defense, and it started with Dasmann, a relentless rush end who operate at only two speeds: Fast or faster.
He scored the game’s first touchdown, pouncing on a loose ball in the end zone after Mason Vasquez of Elk Grove blocked a punt in the first quarter. Crew Santero capped the scoring when the Vista del Lago do-all star recovered a fumble for a touchdown for the South.
In between, Jesiah Machado of Sheldon had a 24-yard touchdown pass to Sebastian Sutton of Oak Ridge, Jervin Navarro of Monterey Trail scored on runs of 1 and 9 yards and had 85 yards rushing, and Carson Nichols of Oak Ridge had four extra-points, a 32-yard field goal and some big punts.
“I told myself before every game, including this one, that I’ll play every down as if it might be my last, because you never know if it’ll be your last, and then I do my thing,” Dasmann said. “Defense always sets the tone, even in All-Star games. I saw Vasquez come off the edge and knew he was going to block it, and then I was on it. He did all the work. I just finished it.”
The game was fiercely contested and included a lot of sportsmanship — players helping each other up after a play. The theme continued after everyone was finished blocking and tackling. Dasmann and Sierra Foothill League rival Dylan Dowd of Rocklin found each other and swapped jerseys for a quick photo moment, each appreciating the relentless efforts of the other.
“There’s a lot of mutual respect,” Dasmann said.
South coach Max Miller praised his team afterward for their efforts, reminding them that this game isn’t just one last prep hurrah. For some, it marks the end of their playing day. Every day, the spirit of this game means the world to Shriners Hospitals for Children, which benefits from funds raised from these games.
Vasquez of Elk Grove can relate. As a young boy, he had a hypoplastic thumb that required surgery at Shriners hospital. He showed off his hand to The Bee after the game, a proud teenager basking in a big moment.
“I’ll remember this game forever,” said Vasquez, who as an eighth grader competed in a Shrine football game at Sacramento State for charity. “It means so much to me. The Shriners hospital means a lot to me. I had surgery on this hand and it gave me mobility, gave me a chance to later play this great game. I’m proud. I’ve been to the Shriners hospital in recent years and it makes me feel good to know I’ve played in game for a great cause.”
The game also meant a great deal to the Renick family. Carson Renick was a star player for Bella Vista, and he played linebacker for the North. His grandfather, Ken Berry, was a longtime area coach a generation ago, including an 11-year stint an assistant at Sacramento City College, which plays home football games at Hughes Stadium. Grandfather Berry watched the game with family on Saturday and soaked in photo moments with his grandson before the sun set on the west side of the venue.
Monterey Trail’s top two leading rushers from 2022 kept up the rushing attack here. Navarro had the two touchdown runs and Ali Collier added 74 yards behind a big and strong offensive line.
JoJo McCray of CIF State Division 3-AA champion Grant hit Isaiah Bickham of Whitney for an 8-yard touchdown late in the first half to pull the North to within 21-6. Jaxon Ramirez of Placer made a 25-yard field goal to cut it to 24-9 for the North, but this was a day for the South.
The defense was coached by Joe Cattolico, the Granite Bay coach whose Grizzlies played for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship on the same field. Cattolico didn’t just coach. He contributed. He hustled over to catch point-after touchdown kicks. He knows this turf. After the game, Cattolico downplayed his legs and raved about his team’s effort on defense.
Monterey Trail linebackers Marcus Perkins and Fata Puloaka each recorded a sack for the South, and Puloaka recovered a fumble. South defensive back Brent Green of Dixon had an interception to go on top of the 11 he had in the fall to lead all Northern California players. South linebacker Lati Vaefaga had two sacks, and his large contingent of proud family let everyone know about it with spirited cheers and hugs.
Big efforts from the North included: Del Oro defensive tackle Akio Martinson recording two sacks; Rocklin defensive back Austin Adams coming up with an interception; Del Oro linebacker Sam Murray and Christian Brothers linebacker Sam Murray making stops; Roseville tight end Liam Crow catching three passes for 66 yards; West Park quarterback Develle Barksdale rushing for 53 yards; and Jesuit all-purpose star Trenton Dewar playing offense, defense and on special-teams returns.
“Enjoy this and be proud,” Miller told his South team, “because you did something important and for a good cause.”