City County All-Star Football game canceled for 2020 because of coronavirus pandemic
Add the Fresno City County All-Star Football Game to the list of events affected by the coronavirus.
Game organizers announced Monday afternoon that the 66th annual edition is canceled.
Not only is that a blow to the Class of 2020 high school football players who get to cap their careers with a summer showcase; the game is also a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County.
The game was scheduled to be played June 19 at Lamonica Stadium at Clovis High.
“We understand how important it is to be good citizens and community members as we all work to protect the health of everyone,” Jim Woods, a member of the City County Game board, said in a news release. “We appreciate all the work, training and years of commitment of the players and staff.”
Woods said plans are underway for a 2021 game.
Besides the football game, the Boys & Girls Clubs has lost other annual fundraising opportunities during the pandemic including the Clovis Gala that was planned for May 9. Sandy Chaney, director of community relations and special events for the clubs, said the loss of revenue is about $250,000 “and the impact on youth of the Central Valley immeasurable.”
History
Organizers credit Thomas J. “Soup” Caruthers and Mike Chupich for starting the City/County game and say it’s recognized as the longest-running, NCAA-sanctioned high school all-star football game in California.
County won the first contest 7-6 on Aug. 26, 1955 at Ratcliffe Stadium, but City holds a 32-23 advantage in the series including last year’s 15-13 victory. There have been three ties and seven games were played in a North-South format.
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 3:23 PM.
