GRANBURY, Texas — Juan Guerrero of the University of La Verne football team has been selected to play in play in the seventh annual Tazón de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars). Guerrero is one of 43 NCAA Division III standouts from a record 27 schools named to Team Stars & Stripes.
Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Don DeWaard of Central College, the Americans will train at the Mexicali, UABC and CETYS University campuses in Tijuana, and on December 19 will take on the CONADEIP All Stars selected from the CONADEIP private universities in Mexico at the Margarita Astiazrán de Fimbres Stadium in Baja. The Tazón de Estrellas series between the great rivals is tied at 3-3.
Guerrero was instrumental in paving the way for one of the most prolific offenses in the nation. The Leopards averaged 444.1 total yards and 256.4 rushing yards behind Guerrero and the offensive line. He, along with his linemates, was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Nov. 3 after the Leopards amassed a season-high 421 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns in a 49-42 win over Chapman.
The 27 Division III schools represented on the Team Stars & Stripes roster are: Adrian College, Albion College, Augustana College, California Lutheran University, Central College, DePauw University, Elmhurst College, Eureka College, Grove City College, Hanover College, Hope College, Illinois College, John Carroll University, Kalamazoo College, Knox College, Lake Forest College, University of La Verne, Luther College, MacMurray College, North Central College, Rose-Hulman, Southern Virginia University, Sul Ross State University, Susquehanna University, Trinity College, US Merchant Marine Academy and Washington University.
The Tazón de Estrellas is the focal point for the Global Football Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit initiative, which assists athletes in meeting the expenses associated with traveling overseas to realize their dreams of competing against other American football enthusiasts and experiencing different cultures.