The first phrase is what some of the local football coaches were saying at Tuesday evening’s 605 All-Star Game Player Nomination and Coaches Dinner at Maggie’s Pub in Santa Fe Springs.

                            photo courtesy of chscondorfootball.com

That’s because California High School football coach Jim Arnold was selected to lead the East squad in the 43rd annual 605 Allstar Football Classic set for June 5th at Cerritos College, beginning as always at 6:05 p.m.

Arnold’s counterpart is Long Beach Wilson’s Mario Morales, who will lead the west.

The boundary is the 60 Freeway to the “the Beach” (according to organizer Rich Estrella) with schools on each side eligible to nominate players.

Arnold does have an advantage, though, as Long Beach Poly, Mayfair and St. John Bosco will compete on the East Side as a way to balance the odds.

Arnold was selected by Estrella and fellow organizers Mike Mendez, Steve Ortega, Ken Sutch and Art Tabizon.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees include legends in Bell Gardens’ Dave Newall and Whittier/Mayfair’s Mike Fitch.

Both will be honored in a ceremony on April 30th at the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex. Dinner tickets are $10. For more information, please call 562.929.5566