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J. Dollins

In the second quarter, Sandoval knocked a ball loose. Even though it was recovered by the West, he took a moment to show that he could see them.

Colton, CA—Seniors Colton Suchil and Xavier Sandoval were among 77 all-star football players across the Inland Empire selected to participate in the 7th annual Inland Valley All-Star Football Classic on Saturday. The event, hosted by IE Sports Net on Fox Sports Radio and sponsored by Baker’s Burgers, was held at Colton’s Memorial Stadium on a rain soaked Saturday afternoon.

Suchil and Sandoval were selected to play for the East all-stars, who defeated the West all-stars 34-7 in a slushy game that started wet and only got wetter.

Suchil, selected as a starting offensive lineman, was honored to be selected. “Even if I wasn’t able to play, it would have still been an honor just to be on that team.”

Defensive back Sandoval felt similarly. “The experience was cool,” he said. “I liked it because it was just more knowledge every day that I was taking in from the coaches.”

The coaches also liked working with Sandoval and Suchil. East head coach Chris Chaddick, who coaches Indian Springs High School’s football team, was complimentary of Colton’s players. “They’ve been great here,” he said. “They’ve been hard workers. Colton’s a very smart lineman and Xavier’s a very physical [defensive back].”

This is the seventh year of the Football Classic. It was started by Brian Arrington, host of the IE Sports Net radio program on Fox Sports Radio 1350. He was inspired by former Redland East Valley and current Citrus Valley head coach Kurt Bruich. 

“Coach Kurt Bruich was at the station and he just said, ‘You know, there used to be a San Bernardino County game and it went away,’” Arrington shared. “He said there’s been an explosion of growth in San Bernardino County, the largest county in America.”

Colton has not had any players selected to play in the Inland Valley Classic since 2017. They were represented by Julio Romo and Kuna Taufahema.

Players were nominated by their coaches across San Bernardino county, then selected by a committee and the head coaches.

All-Star Lineups