Burnsville's Smith to Play at All-Star Football Game

Frank Veldman and Charles Smith know each others’ games well.

Veldman, an Eastview graduate, and Smith, of Burnsville, have played one another athletically since their days of 3-on-3 basketball as eighth graders. They spent their high school careers in opposite huddles facing each other as members of the Lightning and Blaze programs.

But this week symbolized a new chapter in their relationship. As teammates on the South squad for Saturday’s Minnesota All-Star Football Game, they’ve gotten a chance to hang out, build chemistry and enjoy each others’ company before they become roommates and teammates next year at North Dakota State.

“We were looking at each other’s highlight tapes the other day and pointing each other out,” said Smith, a running back. “It’s all jokes, but it’s a little rivalry.”

Smith and Veldman are two of eight South Suburban Conference players at this year’s All-Star game, which will be played Saturday at 7 p.m. at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium. 

Representatives from Apple Valley, Bloomington Kennedy, Burnsville, Eagan, Eastview, Rosemount and Lakeville North all make up the South team’s roster, and for the athletes involved it’s been a fun way to get to know one another on the field.

“We’re getting along, talking and everything,” said Eagan quarterback Jameson Parsons, who will play for St. Cloud State next year. “We’re all coming up against each other. They’re all nice. It’s nice to be on the same team this time.”

The experience is especially unique for Veldman, who is the sixth member of his family two compete at the All-Star game. His father, cousin and three uncles all represented at the All-Star event, and this year is his chance to compete.

“It’s pretty cool,” Veldman said. “I’ve got my dad’s jersey, so I’m going to wear that under my pads during the game.”

Each of the athletes take a little something different away from the experience.

For Apple Valley place kicker Tom Obarski, who will kick for Concordia University in St. Paul next year, the opportunity to meet familiar faces is unique. 

He said he’s familiar with players like Veldman, who played for the crosstown Lightning, but he’d never met him before.

“It’s a new thing getting to know the people around the conference,” Obarski said.

For Smith, who said he’s excited to join the North Dakota State tradition next year, the All-Star week allowed him to take a stepping stone toward college football while getting to know the people he’s competed against along the way.

“Competing with guys you know and competing with guys you played with,” Smith said. “We’re having fun.”

GAME INFORMATION

38th annual All-Star Game

North vs. South

7 p.m. Saturday, TCF Bank Stadium, University of Minnesota

South Suburban Conference football players at the All-Star Game

Apple Valley - Tom Obarsky PK

Bloomington Kennedy - Josh Vaughan RB

Burnsville - Charles Smith RB

Eagan - Jameson Parson QB

Eastview - Frank Veldman DB

Lakeville North - Al Erickson DB

Lakeville North - Bret Piekarski OL

Rosemount - Brandt Berghuis DL