On May 7th, 2025, the annual SGV All-Star Football Game was held at Montebello High School, where two of our very own played in a matchup between The North and The South. The 605 All-Star game, famously named after the freeway, has been played for decades and was established to showcase high school seniors. The San Gabriel Valley has made it its custom, as large crowds are often attracted, and provides a platform for seniors to perform one last time. This year, seniors Tristan Fierro and Caleb Morquecho were picked to play for the North side, along with other schools such as Bishop Amat, Arcadia, and Baldwin Park. The South Side was made up of students from Don Lugo, South Hills, and Diamond Bar, who all competed for the opportunity of being an MVP.
The game kicked off very competitively as both teams took turns moving the ball up and down the field. It wasn’t until the end of the second quarter when Jashion Wade performed a trick play on a double pass that resulted in the first touchdown for the North Side. After earning the extra point, the North Side went into halftime with a 7-0 lead over the South Side, dominating the first half.
When given only a month to create a strong dynamic, Fierro and Morquecho quickly dissolved themselves into their teammates and built off of each other’s talents to develop a game-winning team. Fierro describes the experience as ‘Fun’, after being exposed to new teammates and new coaching styles. Despite both teams facing a great amount of talent and athletic ability, both Morquecho and Fierro feel their team had “Surprisingly good chemistry” despite practicing together for just a month.
The second half continued on its fierce stretch as both teams wrestled the ball back and forth, nearing the end zone after each snap. The battle soon came to an end, as the South skillfully scored a touchdown and tied the game with only five minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Moving into the fourth quarter, the South continued to play aggressively, leaving viewers anxious to see who would break the tie first. Despite their best efforts, the North side eventually fell short and lost to the South in a close 14-17 score.
Although the game didn’t end in their favor, both of the boys wouldn’t have changed a thing. When being given the opportunity to play high school football one last time, Morquecho felt the struggle of having to fit everything into his schedule to be worth it, as he got to have a fun experience and met new friends. His favorite memory was getting a 40-yard interception and receiving an award naming him Defensive MVP. Related to Morquecho, Fierro’s favorite memory was making a diving tackle on the South’s Quarterback that set their offense back a zero-yard gain. Being asked to be an “All-Star’ player left Fierro excited and eager to play another game of football, especially when practices were considered lively and spirited.
After experiencing the true reason behind the 605 All-Star Game, our seniors are left with a lasting impact and a sense of gratitude for the experience they shared. While the end result wasn’t expected, the experience will be a forever memory, leaving them thankful to have played on the final high school stage before moving on to the next level.
