Although it's only the beginning of April, football talk is in the air, and not just because of the upcoming NFL draft.

Rosters for the 13th annual Foothills Football Classic were announced last week at a press conference at Stratigos Banquet Center in North Huntingdon, and four members of the Class AAA WPIAL and PIAA champion Thomas Jefferson Jaguars were selected to the prestigious game.

For 75 graduating senior gridiron stars from around the region, the Classic offers one final high school game that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

The annual all-star event will be held on June 21, at Norwin High School Stadium, at 7 p.m.

The Foothills Classic brings together players from 33 school districts located in Allegheny, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties.

Players are graduating seniors nominated by their high school coaches as exemplary student-athletes.

The final teams are then selected by a coaching panel and split into squads -- North and South, based on their location surrounding Route 30.

The Township Association of Business is the primary sponsor for the event.

All four Jaguars will suit up for the South team and will be coached by Laurel Highlands' Jack Buehner.

Franklin Regional's Greg Botta will lead the North squad.

"It's going to be a fun game. That's what it's all about" Buehner said. "I tell my players (at Laurel Highlands) before a game to go out and have fun. Football's a great game."

Representing Thomas Jefferson will be the senior group of wide receiver/defensive back Zach DeCicco, lineman Cory Smith, running back Orlando Torres and wide receiver/defensive back Trevor Wildman.

All four are planning to continue their football career in college.

DeCicco plans to attend Slippery Rock, Smith will be going to Clarion, Wildman will decide between Robert Morris and Washington and Jefferson while Torres is leaning towards Slippery Rock.

"We have had an excellent relationship over the past seven years with our student-athletes participating in the game," said TJ head coach Bill Cherpak, who also serves at athletic director in the district.

"Zach, Trevor, Orlando and Cory have been selected to the game this year. I think this will be one of the strongest group of players we have sent to the game. Each of them had many postseason honors and will continue their football careers in college.

"Each of them was an integral part of our state championship team. They were all leaders in their own way."

Said Buehner of the Jaguars' all-star selections, "It's nice to not have to face you guys for once."

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Each participating player in the contest is eligible for a variety of scholarship opportunities, including a Sheetz scholarship ($1,000) and the Fred Ruffolo scholarship ($500), given in memory of Ruffolo, a previous Foothills board member and enthusiast.

"Through the generosity of Sheetz, and Lou Sheetz's involvement, we are looking forward to an even bigger Foothills Classic in 2008, allowing more scholarship money to be awarded to the players," said Rich Siniawski, chairman of the classic.

The awards are given based on grade point average, course of study, academic/athletic awards, school activities, community involvement, interests and hobbies, work experience, career objective and a 100-word essay on "What being part of the Foothills Football Classic means to me."

The schools to be represented at the game will be Belle Vernon, Burrell, Clairton, Connellsville, Derry Area, East Allegheny, Duquesne, Elizabeth Forward, Franklin Regional Gateway, Greensburg Central Catholic, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Indiana, Jeannette, Kiski Area, Latrobe, McKeesport, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn Hills, Penn-Trafford, Plum, Serra Catholic, Southmoreland, South Allegheny, Steel Valley, Thomas Jefferson, Valley, West Mifflin, Woodland Hills and Yough.

For more information on the game and advertising for the contest, visit www.foothillsfootballclassic.com