The Rotary Club of Fort Myers South will present the 35th All Star Classic, supported by title sponsor Acentria Insurance and Tower Hill Insurance Group, from Dec. 11-13. This event, highlighted by the annual football game, featuring the top players and cheerleaders from Lee County high schools.

Proceeds from the game benefit the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South Foundation Inc., which supports various local community programs and scholarships for those in need. A variety of sponsorships also are available.

The All Star Classic Banquet will take place from 6-9 p.m., Monday, Dec. 11, at Fort Myers High School, recognizing the participating student-athletes and cheerleaders. The All Star Classic game will be Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Fort Myers High, with kickoff at 7 p.m.

“We are honored to showcase the annual All Star Classic, which has been a long-standing tradition that supports our students and our community,” said Rebecca Goff, Fort Myers Rotary South Club Past president and event chair. “This year’s changes are exciting! I hope to continue reviewing opportunities for community support through increased marketing and media presence, driving sponsorship support next year. It’s important to continue creating an amazing showcase of the students’ talent, this honored tradition and maintaining one of the top player-selected All-Star games in the state of Florida.”

The event was the first countywide high school football all-star game in Florida when it was founded in 1989 by John Carrigan. The Sanibel resident, teacher and referee wanted to showcase talented players who weren’t necessarily always grabbing the headlines. Since then, the game has grown into a hotbed of top-level prospects. Nearly two dozen players who have taken part in the game have gone on to NFL careers.

Historically, the contest matched a North team against a South team, which were geographical representations of the school locations. As the county has grown and schools have been added, it was time for a change and to drive more balanced competition. This year, each team has been renamed Blue and Gold, representing the Rotary colors. The players were selected for each team based on the team’s MaxPrep ranking at the end of the regulation high school football season. This change should level the playing field for both teams creating the ultimate All-Star game experience. Each player and cheerleader receive a customized commemorative ring or bracelet for being selected as an All-Star.

As costs have continued to increase, the Rotary Club is seeking donations and sponsors to help cover the cost of the events. Businesses and individuals can sponsor the event, a team, player or cheerleader. Please visit rotarysouthallstarclassic.org or contact the event chair, Rebecca Goff, at 239-229-9371 or rgoff1021@gmail.com for more information.

Players in the Breeze coverage area on the All Star teams include:

Blue Team

Matt Turner, WR, Bishop Verot

James Donnelly, RB, Ida Baker

Jeremiah Dean, LB, Bishop Verot

Jack Janeway, TE, Bishop Verot

Ryan Gadson, DB, Bishop Verot

Parker Turner, LB, Bishop Verot

Diego Hernandez, LB, Island Coast

Brendon Donnelly, RB, Ida Baker

Eddie Nolan, OL, Bishop Verot

Kyle Freire, OL, Island Coast

Jose Mora, OL, Ida Baker

Renee Rodriguez, Trainer, Bishop Verot

Gold Team

Andre Costa-Devine, RB, North Fort Myers

Darryl Owens, WR/DB, Cape Coral

Kelvin Jimenez, TE/DE, Mariner

Marcus Kelley Jr., WR/DB, Mariner

Virgil Maloy, RB, North Fort Myers

Derrick Oge, LB, Cape Coral

Tyler Rehm, LB, Cape Coral

Noah Tolbert, RB, Mariner

Tony Crump-Townsend, ATH, Mariner

Adrian Stone, OL/DL, North Fort Myers

Lenard Thomas, OL, Cape Coral

Dayton Solorzano, OL, Mariner

Kaysie Taylor, Trainer, Cape Coral

Raine Lepore, Trainer, North Fort Myers