Los Banos’ Barcellos looking to cap stellar senior year with all-star football win

Alec Barcellos isn’t used to a lot of downtime.

The Los Banos High School graduate spent his senior year jumping from football to basketball to baseball. That, coupled with school, is a full load, but most of Barcellos’ remaining free time is spent at work.

It didn’t leave much opportunity for leisure, but Barcellos said it’s the way he’s functioned for as long as he can remember. So while getting sequestered onto the Cal State Stanislaus campus to practice for the 42nd annual Central California Lions All-Star Football Game in 100-plus degree heat may not sound like a vacation to most, it’s quite the reprieve for Barcellos.

“It’s definitely different, not having another sport or work to go to after I’m done with practice,” Barcellos said. “It’s kind of nice to just be able to go back and hang out with the guys in the dorms after we’re done.

“I’m just trying to get back into football shape right now. It’s very different than baseball. There’s a lot more running involved, and I’m mainly just focused on getting my legs back under me.”

Barcellos said a Lions victory would be a nice cap to what’s been a pretty dream senior year.

He helped lead a young Tigers squad to an unexpected Western Athletic Conference championship and Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinal appearance in football while starting at receiver and outside linebacker. He was named the WAC’s Defensive Player of the Year. There was a little magic left in the tank for baseball season, as Los Banos made another semifinal run and took a 1-0 lead in its best-of-three series against Placer of Auburn.

Before heading off to play at Colorado Mesa University in the fall, he’ll look to finish his high school career a winner as a representative of the South team on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Wayne Schneider Stadium in Tracy.

“This year has definitely been a blast,” Barcellos said. “We kind of cruised under the radar in football and made it to the semis. Baseball was special to be a part of. It would have been nice to win it all in one of them, but I really enjoyed myself.

“Besides, here is a chance for me to go out a winner. I’m excited to be here and representing Los Banos. These all-star games are something I’ve always dreamed of playing in, and I’m getting to do both.”

South coach Jeremy Plaa (Downey) likes what he’s seen in Barcellos’ athleticism and versatility.

Plaa plans to take advantage of it, penciling him in at strong safety. With the South running Downey’s air-it-out spread offense, Plaa didn’t rule out the possibility of getting Barcellos’ 6-foot-2 frame some offensive reps as well.

“He’s a tremendous athlete,” Plaa said. “I got to see him play center field in baseball and was very impressed. He’s got a big body and good, quick feet. I’m sure college coaches are all over him.”

Barcellos acknowledged it’s tough to regain football form in a week but said the first hit Monday morning got his head right.

“That woke me up,” Barcellos said. “My neck is a little sore, but I needed it. It helped get the juices flowing again.”

This story was originally published June 10, 2015 at 7:43 PM with the headline "Los Banos’ Barcellos looking to cap stellar senior year with all-star football win."