Players still flock to Agganis game

Agganis Classics game chairman Paul Halloran tells the story of Ipswich’s James Riel – a defensive back who wasn’t on the initial list of invitees to this year’s Agganis All-Star Football Classic.”I got an email from him,” said Halloran, “and I was impressed. He said he understood that there are always more players than there spots, but he also said that he wanted to play in it, and that it would be a great wrapup to his high school career.”Since there are always cancellations, and players often decline invitations, Halloran had Riel on the North squad of Wednesday night’s Agganis game two days after he got the email. And the Fitchburg State-bound Riel – who continues to say that playing in the game was the highlight of his career – was a standout for the North (even though it lost, 28-13, to the South), coming up with an interception.”The game still means something to the kids that play in it, and that’s a great thing,” said Halloran.It is a theme that ran through Wednesday’s game.”I’ve heard about this game since I was in Pop Warner,” said David Hicks of St. Mary’s, who could have easily been the South’s MVP were it not for the pinpoint passing of Swampscott’s Matt Barbuzzi. Hicks had two interceptions, one that set up a touchdown and a second that turned into a 93-yard “pick six.” He also broke up a pass down by the goal line that, had it connected, could have brought the North a touchdown closer in the closing minutes.”I never thought I’d get to play in this game,” he said. “So I was thrilled when I found out I was selected.”Barbuzzi himself was beyond words about being selected not only to play in the game, but being chosen as the MVP.”It’s humbling,” he said. “The wins means the most, but I’m happy with the MVP too.”The wonderment doesn’t end with the players. Coach Jim Rudloff of Marblehead, who directed the victorious South, jumped at the opportunity when asked.”I did this with the Beverly staff two or three years ago and had a wonderful time,” he said. “So when they asked me this time, I couldn’t wait.””Both coaches (Don Heres of Northeast Regional had the North squad) were great,” said Halloran. “They both ran tight ships.”uAlthough the crowd may have been down Thursday due to Wednesday’s postponement, the decision came because players – and presumably fans – were coming from as far away as Dracut, and “we felt it was better to postpone (the game) to night where perfect weather was forecast,” said Halloran.”We didn’t think it was worth the risk to have it with such an unpredictable forecast,” he said. “We really depend on the gate as one of the primary sources of revenue.””You always lose the momentum when you have to postpone,” said foundation president Ted Grant, “but as a rebound, it turned out well. It was as good as we could have expected ? or hoped.”uVolunteerism is a big part of what makes the Agganis Classics go. The referees, umpires and officials donate their time for all the games. Dave Sawchuk has been assigning the same group of football referees for five years (also among them is State Rep. Stephen Walsh). The baseball crew, assigned by Jim McKeever; and the softball crew, which Ken Fournier assembles, has also been involved for several years.And to be a trustee of the Agganis Foundation means more than just having your name in the program. Attorney Stephen L. Smith was directing traffic at the entrance to the parking lot (as was Grant). And Nick Kostan – with whom retirement obviously agrees – worked long and hard on the concession stand.Halloran singled out football game director Matt Durgin for credit too.”Obviously,” he said, “from a logistical point of view, football requires more attention than the other games. Matt’s been great. Nobody works harder. He goes to all the practices, takes care of all the details, and is basically on call for me for the two weeks leading up to the game.”And that’s with all the stuff he has to do for his own team (St. Mary’s),” Halloran said. “He’s been a huge, huge he