NOTES: Green Valley’s Brock Hershberger puts heart into charity game
The first practice for the Sunrise Region team in preparation for the West Charleston Lions Club Charity All-Star Football Game was at 6 p.m. Monday at Foothill High.
To nobody’s surprise, Green Valley senior defensive end Brock Hershberger was one of the first players to arrive.
“One thing you could always count on was, if we were having football practice, Brock was going to be there,” Green Valley coach Brian Castro said of the three-year starter.
Hershberger, a first-team All-Southeast League selection, is relishing his opportunity to participate in the 45th edition of the all-star game that benefits numerous local charities.
The game kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bishop Gorman. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students.
The Sunrise Region has won five straight in the series, including 35-14 last season.
“Knowing that it is a charity game — I enjoy doing humanitarian work — it really means a lot that I can have fun while also helping others,” Hershberger said. “I’m coming out to win and play hard, but I also view it as one last hurrah, I guess you could say, with my buddies.”
Hershberger has volunteered at charities such as Las Vegas Rescue Mission and Three Square Food Bank, and recently he was named to the all-state football academic team.
Hershberger was among the state leaders in sacks (10) this season to go with 68 tackles for the Gators, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 230-pounder received a scholarship offer from San Diego on Friday and has previous offers from Adams State (Colorado), Colorado School of Mines, Cornell, Oklahoma Baptist and Trinity University (Texas).
In addition, Hershberger said he is hearing from the military academies along with schools in the Mountain West and Big Sky Conference. His father, Erik, played at Weber State in the 1980s.
“He’s going to have an opportunity to go play football somewhere,” Castro said. “I think he’s just waiting to find that right fit for him and the school. Things are starting to ramp up for him, and like I said, somebody’s got to take a chance and take him. They won’t be sorry.”
Hershberger said he hopes his play Saturday attracts the attention of more college coaches. He also is scheduled to play in the Offense-Defense Bowl from Dec. 26 to 30 in Atlanta.
“I think after that I’m going to give it some time, go on my officials and if anything else comes in, then obviously I’ll take that into consideration,” Hershberger said. “I always practice and play like someone’s watching.”
JONES NETS WONDER GOAL
Bishop Gorman senior Arlie Jones scored a memorable goal Saturday at the High School All-America Girls Soccer Game in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Jones, a Southern California commit, sent a shot into the top corner of the net from a tough angle during the West team’s 5-4 loss to the East. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any video of Jones’ screamer.
LESCENSKI HEISMAN FINALIST
Faith Lutheran senior goalkeeper Rebekah Lescenski was named one of five finalists for the girls Wendy’s High School Heisman.
The winner will be announced Friday in New York.
RECENT COMMITMENTS
■ Coronado senior Christian Sanford to Regis University (Colorado) for baseball.
■ Desert Pines senior Jalen Graves to Idaho for football.
Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.