Rich White, who led Dartmouth to a perfect regular season this past fall, will be looking for another win as coach of the South team in tonight’s Shriners Football Classic at Bentley College in Waltham.
The 31st annual contest, which showcases the top graduating seniors, is at 7. The game benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The North squad will be led by Swampscott coach Steve Dembowski, who played in the game 20 years ago (losing in overtime).
“I’m still friends with a lot of the guys I played with 20 years ago,’’ said Dembowski. “When I got the chance, I just had to give back.’’
Globe All-Scholastic wide receiver Justin Mello, who played for White at Dartmouth, was thrilled to be selected for the game.
“We’ll go out there and play football,’’ said Mello. “But we’re playing for those kids. That makes it even more of an honor.’’
The Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association chose the coaching staffs, who in turn selected the cream of the football crop from more than 76 Massachusetts communities. The game features of handful of All-Scholastics, including BC High’s Bill Kiley, Framingham’s Danny Guadagnoli, Newton South’s Derek Russell, and Everett’s Jim Noel.
Since many of the players plan on playing college football, concern about injuries does not go unheeded. The teams are required to play a 4-3 defense and are not allowed to blitz.
“We already have a couple of kids banged up,’’ said White. “But this isn’t a game you can play at half-speed. It’s football, and these kids want to go out and win.’’
The game’s chairman, Peter Simmons, has worked diligently to present a game that will be competitive, but also fun for the fans.
“We are hoping for a lot of offensive points,’’ said Simmons, who acknowledged the threat of rain could cut down on the aerial attacks. “Last year, we packed the stands and we are hoping to do the same this year.’’
Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $10.
