Five locals to play for South

For the first time in recent memory, the South roster for the Orange County All-Star Football Game, scheduled July 13 at Orange Coast College, will include representatives from each of the four Newport-Mesa Unified School District schools.

Newport Harbor High will be represented by seniors Mike Calabrese and Brian Beaudette, while Taylor Hughes (Corona del Mar), London Sapolu (Costa Mesa) and Matt Redding (Estancia) have also been chosen from the 44 schools that make up the South player pool.

The South will be coached by Mike Jacot of Santa Margarita High, whose staff will also include Zach Biehl, the offensive line coach at Newport Harbor.

The South will battle the top seniors from the North in the 48th edition of the summer showcase, organized by the Brea Lions Club.

Hughes, the Newport-Mesa Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 2,204 yards and 22 touchdowns, both school records, in his only season with the Sea Kings. The Mater Dei transfer completed 139 of 234 passes with 11 interceptions to help lead the Sea Kings to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division last fall.

Hughes was named All-CIF in his division.

Calabrese, the Newport-Mesa Defensive Player of the Year is a two-time All-CIF honoree, last season in the Pac-5 Division. The 6-foot-1, 224-pound defensive tackle had 47 tackles, 12 for losses, including five sacks, en route to earning Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year laurels.

Redding, also an All-CIF Southern Division performer for the Eagles (7-4), who he helped lead to the CIF playoffs, had 44 receptions for 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 6-2, 205-pounder, who also played some running back and safety, rushed for two touchdowns and was a major factor in the team’s school single-season record 361 points.

Beaudette, a 6-0, 259-pound offensive guard, earned All-Newport Mesa honors as the leading member of the Sailors’ offensive front.

Beaudette, also a talented wrestler, posted a 32-13 record as a senior in the heavyweight division. He advanced to the CIF State wrestling championships.

Sapolu, a 6-0, 245-pounder, anchored both the offensive and defensive lines for the Mustangs in 2006. He started at right guard, where he was recognized on the Newport-Mesa Dream Team, and also stood out at defensive end.

London is the second Sapolu to represent the South in the Orange County All-Star Game. Older brother Luke, who started at center the last two seasons at Orange Coast College, played in the game in 2005.

London and Luke Sapolu are the sons of Jesse Sapolu, a former All-Pro offensive lineman with the San Francisco 49ers.

CdM senior receiver-cornerback Steven Hillgren, the 2006 Newport-Mesa MVP bound for Georgetown, chose not to participate in the game, due to a back injury.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com