By Don Ketchum

The Arizona All-Star football team has its leading man for Saturday night’s showdown against an All-Star team from Southern California.

He’s the strong, silent type. Doesn’t say much. Lets his actions do the talking. Kind of like John Wayne.

So buckle your chinstrap, pilgrim. Sam Papa is headed your way. Better be ready.

The inaugural game will be played at Surprise Stadium, with a 7 p.m. kickoff. It is sponsored by the Arizona Football Coaches Association.

Papa is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker from Mesa Desert Ridge. He is as tough as they come. He battled back to have a strong senior season after suffering a dislocated left hip in a game as a junior.

Papa was an All-Arizona selection by The Arizona Republic. He would like to play college ball, but first will go on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

“It’s kind of exciting to be able to play in a game like this,’’ Papa said. “We know that team will have a lot of good players. I guess we will see if they are as good as they say they are.’’

He said he enjoys playing linebacker “because you’re sort of the captain of the defense. You are in the middle of everything.’’

He is proud of what he has accomplished thus far, “but I really don’t go bragging.

“On the field, I’m quiet even then. I just go out and do my job and that’s it. If my teammatesdo their jobs and I do mine, we will be all right.’’

Papa will recall his high school playing days fondly and with pride. The team reached the Class 5A Division I championship game before falling to Chandler Hamilton.

“Our coach (Jeremy Hathcock) taught us to play with heart,’’ Papa said. “We weren’t the biggest team around, but we were one of the best. We went out and played as hard as we could every game.’’