Two local prep football standouts have earned one last chance to play in a high school game and impress some college coaches.

Montesano High School’s Carson Klinger and Aberdeen’s Kylan Touch were selected to compete in the 24th Annual East-West Earl Braden Football Classic at 1 p.m. today at Yakima’s Zaepfel Stadium.

Both Klinger and Touch made a big impact on both sides of the ball in 2017 as running backs and playing in the defensive backfield for their respective teams.

Versatility was a trait for both players and it will be on display during the all-star game. Touch will be getting carries out the backfield with some defensive back duties mixed in while Klinger will be playing cornerback and some occasional free safety.

Klinger isn’t sure what his football future holds but with college coaches in attendance, the game means more than an exhibition.

“If the right coach came to me, I would definitely consider it,” he said. “I want to make a better impression on the coaches from Central (Washington University). I’d like to see how they feel once they see me in person.”

Touch’s football career isn’t as up in the air as is Klinger’s. Touch plans on walking on at Washington State but acknowledged that it can’t hurt to make a good impression with college coaches in the stands.

“Even though I have my college figured out, performing in front of other college coaches raises your credibility,” he said. “If I perform well here then that word will get out to the other coaches that I’m going to be playing for,” he said.

Both athletes are looking forward to making a good impression and neither of them seemed tense in the days leading up to kickoff.

One of the things that has helped to create a relaxed atmosphere in the all-star game practices is the caliber of talent on the field.

High school coaches don’t always have the benefit of working with high skill levels at every position, but with some of the best players in the state all sharing the field — including three NCAA DI-bound quarterbacks — preparing for Saturday has been relatively easy.

“It’s great, man,” said Touch. “It’s a little more laid back during the week than high school but part of the reason for that is we have a bunch of kids who already know the fundamentals. The players are already good so we don’t have to go back to the fundamentals.”

Installing offensive and defensive schemes during two-a-days can be a daunting task but Klinger is looking to hit the field relaxed.

“The coaches told us that we’re here to have fun,” he said. “Yeah you want to win but the but they want us to have fun and make the most out of this week and make memories.”

Touch’s and Klinger’s families are looking to make some memories as well. Both Grays Harbor area players will be followed to Yakima by a convoy of supporters excited to see them take the last snaps of their high school careers.

Kylan’s father, Kosol Touch, said a busy work schedule has made it difficult to see his son play under the Friday night lights and is looking forward to seeing him play this afternoon.

“It’s been tough for me because for the last five or six years I haven’t been able to see him play as much because of my job,” he said. “But every time I am there it’s a proud moment. People always say he’s not going to be able to do this or that but he has always overcome it.”

Carson’s father, Matt Klinger, admits that he has hard time keeping calm when his son hits the field. He stated he will try to stay calm during the exhibition game to avoid getting reprimanded by his wife.

“My wife is the one that doesn’t want to say a word and then I get overly amped and she yells at me,” he said laughing. “I’ll try to tone it down since it’s an all-star game.”

Matt Klinger will try to tone it down while Kylan Touch and Carson Klinger wind down their high school careers.

Kylan and Carson have both made memories during their prep playing days, but Klinger said going through the ups and downs of football with his teammates will be his biggest take away.

“I made a lot of memories with my best buddies. That’s all that matters to me,” he said.

Aberdeen running back Kylan Touch, left, stiff arms a would-be Montesano tackler on Sept 1. Touch is one of two area athletes invited to compete at the 24th Annual East-West Earl Braden Football Classic today in Yakima. (Brendan Carl Photography)