The Central Florida All-Star Game showcases the area’s top high school senior football players. Many already have made their football commitments beyond this year.
But for others, the game can mean the chance to catch the eye of a college coach and maybe show them something they missed during the regular season.
Groveland South Lake wide receiver Joey Pendarvis is in that camp.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior, who led the Sentinel coverage area in catches (72) and receiving yards (1,154) this season, holds only an offer from Bethel College, an NAIA school in Kansas.
Of course, that could change if he impresses a coach during Friday’s game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Lake Howell High School.
Coaches from NCAA Division II and III programs, NAIA schools and junior colleges can attend practices and the game.
For his part, Pendarvis said he also has some academic work left to increase his chances of playing in college.
“My tests. … that’s what I need to get in is my tests. After I get my tests (up) hopefully the recruiting process will get a little bit better,” he said.
The All-Star game, which began in 1999, showcases players like Pendarvis from an eight-county area. Osceola, Orange, Lake and Sumter make up the West, while Seminole, Volusia, Brevard and Flagler make up the East.
Game organizer Chip Humble said the event provides its players with more exposure, citing former Deltona Trinity Christian standout Paxton Lynch as one example. His MVP performance in the game led to a scholarship from Memphis.
“There’s some great opportunities for these kids,” Humble said of the game, which also benefits local charities Chance 2 Dance and the Aaron Jones Foundation.
“It gives these kids, from all classifications, a chance to play together. It’s a great opportunity for them to see what their skill sets are, so see how they stack up.”
Before he started piling up the catches this season, Pendarvis impressed South Lake coach Mark Woolum with his determination. Following the Eagles’ preseason Classic game against Brooksville Central, an emotional Pendarvis made a vow to his coach.
“I think he had three drops, and he said, ‘I promise you I will never drop a ball for as long as I’m playing again,’ and I think we went the whole season without him having another drop,” Woolum said. “That’s his attitude and how bad he wanted to do well. That sort of sums up his senior year, just determination unlike anything I’ve seen.”
Pendarvis had seven touchdown receptions for an Eagles team that went 6-5 and qualified for the Class 6A playoffs. His play helped the Eagles offset the loss of standout running back Kelley Joiner Jr., who was on a rushing and touchdown tear before missing the final eight games of the season with a broken leg.
“Coach Willum gave me a shot, and I really am thankful for the shot he gave me because it was a heck of a season,” said Pendarvis, whose totals set school records for catches and yardage in a season.
One of Pendarvis’ most memorable performances came in the regular-season finale against rival East Ridge. He caught 11 passes for 160 yards and two TDs, including the game-tying score in the closing seconds of regulation, as the Eagles prevailed in overtime.
Woolum said the tying TD exemplified Pendarvis’ abilities and his attitude. On the play, quarterback Baylee Heuser rolled to his right, then pivoted and snapped a throw to his left toward Pendarvis in the end zone. A few seconds later the crowd erupted when Pendarvis pulled in the pass.
“He went up and caught it between two defenders, with confidence. That was pretty incredible,” Woolum said. “Just throw me the ball. That’s kind of his attitude.”
In addition to his affinity for catching passes, Pendarvis is an avid Indianapolis Colts fan, in part because his dad, James, has family in Indiana. On an invitation from family friend Jonotthan Harrison, a South Lake and UF alum who now plays for the Jets, Pendarvis and his dad drove to Anderson, Ind., this summer to attend a training camp session.
The trip was more than worth it, as they left with memorabilia signed by Colts Pro Bowl receiver T.Y. Hilton. Pendarvis said, among other things, Hilton gave him a pair of receiving gloves and a training skull cap, the same one he was wearing under his helmet Tuesday at practice.
“It was awesome,” said Pendarvis, who shares a jersey number (13) with Hilton.
Woolum said Pendarvis may not be the biggest or the fastest receiver on the field, but his play speaks for itself.
“Some people want to look at how big you are or how fast you are. Just watch the film. He makes plays,” Woolum said. “He runs great routes, got great hands, good vision and determination.
“I am just honored to be his coach, and I hope I get some more like him someday. With his determination, whether it’s football or business or whatever he chooses to do, if he keeps that work ethic he’ll be successful at whatever he does.”
Pendarvis said he’s using the all-star experience as a chance to soak up more football knowledge and compete against the best senior players in Central Florida.
“Coach said don’t hold anything back, so I’m just learning and enjoying it. Enjoying everything,” he said. “At the beginning of the season I didn’t know if I would even be here, so right now I’m blessed to be here.”
For more information on the game, go to centralfloridaallstargame.com.
