Shared with permission of Stillwater Gazette

By Stuart Groskreutz

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association All-Star Game will be held at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 3, but the Stillwater Ponies will not be represented for the first time since 2001 — and only the third time since 1974.

Ponies coach Beau LaBore confirmed that Stillwater put a player up for consideration, but he was not selected. Since moving the date for this event closer to the end of the fall season, rather than in late June, the list of Division I participants and elite players has increased, which makes landing a player on the team more challenging.

There were just five players from the Suburban East Conference selected. Defensive back Levi Brown of Roseville was named to the North team roster while defensive end James Jackson of Cretin-Derham Hall, running back Dominik London and kicker/punter Grant Ryerse of East Ridge, and defensive end Jalen Morrison of Woodbury will play for the South squad.

Jeff Ferguson of Totino-Grace is slated to coach the North team and Mike Grant of Eden Prairie will guide the South team.

This event has changed several times over the years since its debut in 1945. The game has been held annually since 1974.

There are additional events scheduled as part of this year’s game, including marching band performances, cheer teams, dance teams and autograph sessions with current and past Vikings players. There are also youth football clinics scheduled with free admission to clinic participants, which are limited to the first 200 to register at www.vikings.com/showcase.

This event is being organized by the MFCA and the Minnesota Vikings. General admission tickets for the Minnesota Football Showcase are $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 13-17. Children ages 12-and-under are admitted free.