Local football player represents Shafter at All American Bowl

David Espinoza, an 11-year-old Maple School student, recently represented Shafter at the All American Bowl in Florida. Espinoza was only one of two players in the state selected to participate in the game.

Espinoza, who now plays on a travel team that competes all over the state, played for two years with the Shafter Commanders of the Golden Empire Youth Football League. Espinoza represented Shafter, Kern County and California.

In June, Espinoza traveled to the Army/Navy Academy in Carlsbad for the Offense/Defense Football Camp. There, he was awarded Camp MVP with an invitation to the All American Bowl Game held at the IMG Academy in Florida.

Every participant in the game was chosen from an elite list of young athletes from throughout the nation. He was one of the starting quarterbacks in his age group and one of two from California.

Espinoza spent a week at the IMG Academy, attending a quarterback clinic for two days and played in three games on the campus, in addition to the All Star Game. Espinoza currently plays on the travel team and trains twice a week with a private quarterbacks coach.

Espinoza, who dreams of playing for Ohio State in college and then playing in the NFL, is looking forward to continuing play for the Commanders and then head to Shafter High to compete for the Generals.