Coaches announced for Tulare Kings All Star Football Game

Organized by members of Lemoore Kiwanis and Visalia Optimists, the game is a longtime rivalry between top high school senior players of the year. The coaches are generally those who have taken their teams to a great record.

“We have multiple coaches who have had a great year,” said Robert Clement, one member of the organizing committee.

Clement stressed that choosing each head coach is the decision of the entire committee.

For the West team, Shannon Pulliam, varsity coach of Lemoore High School was chosen. His team won the West Yosemite League, Division II and had a record of 11-1.

This is the third year Pulliam, who is also a physical education teacher, has served as head coach for the Tigers. Prior, he had more than eight years as a head coach and more than 12 years as an assistant coach.

Pulliam himself played as a defensive linebacker while at Clovis High School, Fresno City College and Boise State University.

“It’s a great honor, when asked to take on an All Star team,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it.”

Pulliam will have members of his Lemoore coaching staff assist with the All Star team. He looks forward to not only coaching a couple members of the Lemoore team one more time, he said, but also many of the players he has watched play against them.

“It’s good to get to know these kids, personally. It’s kind of a nice closing and it’s fitting,” he said.

Named head coach for the East team is Central Valley Christian’s head varsity coach, Mason Hughes.

CVC had a record of 11-2 this season in the Central Sequoia League, Division IV. This was Hughes seventh season as head coach there, where he also teaches economics and personal finance.

Hughes played a little football while in high school, he said.

“But, I wasn’t that good,” he said.

That didn’t deter his love for the game, as well as other sports, and he began coaching while in college.

“I’m proud and excited,” he said, “to have been chosen (as head coach for the All Star team), means your team is really good.”

Hughes looks forward to coaching some of his seniors for one last time, as well as members from other teams.

Usually, there are only a couple of weeks practice before the All Star game, slated for late June.

“Generally, we will want to make sure we get in shape and that everyone learns the plays,” Hughes said. “We want them to feel confident in what they are doing.”

Hughes and Pulliam will choose the players of their teams with the help of their coaching staff. The names will be announced, once the graduating seniors accept their positions for the teams.