Stokes to Play in Las Vegas All-American Classic

Oskaloosa--William Penn senior tight end Andy Stokes (Sr., St. George, Utah, Snow JC) will join some of the top players in the nation in competition at the Las Vegas All-American Classic, Saturday. The Classic, which highlights some of the best graduating seniors in all divisions, will be played at Sam Boyd Stadium (home complex of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas football program), Saturday, at 3 p.m., Central Standard Time. The game is expected to broadcast on Fox Sports Net to approximately 40 million viewers throughout the West and Midwest. The Classic has been moved to Las Vegas this year after the first two games (2002, 2003) were originally played in Stokes' hometown of St. George, Utah, under the name of the "Paradise Bowl". With the move, over 36,000 fans have the opportunity to be in attendance, compared to under 9,000 when the game was held at Hansen Stadium in St. George. Though the game was originally held to showcase the best players in the Western region, the rosters have been expanded to include athletes from every area of the nation, turning the Classic into a true East vs. West competition. Roughly 80 percent of the players hail from NCAA Division I programs, including such standout names as quarterbacks Zach Mills (Penn State) and Chance Mock (Texas). Stokes is one of just two NAIA players to be selected for the Classic, joining Northwestern Oklahoma State defensive tackle Willie Page. Stokes, who finished with 42 receptions for 753 yards in 2004, will play for the East squad. He will join Jerome Collins of Notre Dame as the only other tight end on the East roster, while the West squad has just one tight end on its team. In addition to competing in the Classic, Stokes will also take part in a skills and measurement combine during the week for NFL scouts.