Buhach Colony’s Justin Stefani looking to end high school football career with a bang

Justin Stefani wasn’t satisfied with the end to his high school football career.

Buhach Colony won its final two games, but a 5-5 record wasn’t good enough as the Thunder missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Stefani certainly did his part, rushing for 1,254 yards and 12 touchdowns on 139 carries. He also caught 12 balls for 231 yards and a score. Stefani’s impact was felt on the defensive end as well, finishing third on the the team with 51 tackles and second on BC with four sacks.

Unfortunately, without a playoff run the last couple years, few outside of the Merced area have gotten to see what the Thunder graduate can do. The 42nd annual Central California Lions All-Star Football Game provides the perfect backdrop for Stefani to rectify that situation.

“I definitely wanted to play one more football game,” Stefani said. “I’m fortunate enough to get to play in two All-Star games. I just want to get as many touches as I can and show everybody what I can do one last time on a big stage.

“You think you can pick it back up and go like you did during the season, but you almost inevitably stumble. I’m definitely a little step behind where I was during the season, but I have a week to get my legs back.”

Stefani will be one of four locals representing the South when the ball kicks off on Saturday night in Tracy. He’ll be joined by Thunder teammate Roy Gutierrez (defensive back) and the Los Banos tandem Alec Barcellos (strong safety) and Bailey Rodriguez (defensive lineman).

The quartet will try to help the South close the gap with the North leading the series 24-15-2. One of those ties came last year as the two squads battled to a 21-21 final.

This year’s game should be a contrast in styles with Chavez coach John Ward and his ground attack leading the North while Downey’s Jeremy Plaa and his spread attack heads the South.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Barcellos said. “Defensively, we know the North really likes to run the ball, so it comes down to which team can be more physical. We look like we have a physical group, so I’m excited for the challenge.”

Plaa was pleased with how quickly his squad was picking up the intricacies of the offense.

“I’m very pleased with the progress we’re making,” Plaa said. “We’ve got a quarterback that knows the system, some talented receivers and backs that can catch the ball out of the backfield. It’s coming along nicely.

“This is my second time coaching an All-Star game. The biggest thing I learned from the first one was just to roll with it. Not a lot of things went right the first day, but we’re pushing through and getting ready for Saturday.”

This story was originally published June 11, 2015 at 4:49 PM with the headline "Buhach Colony’s Justin Stefani looking to end high school football career with a bang."