For the game-winning field goal on the final play of the 2006 Ventura County East-West All-Star Football Game, Agoura High kicker J.T. Wright did not have to worry about a blocked kick.

All-Star rules barred defenses from applying any pressure on kickers.

Wright converted to give the East a 27-24 victory.

For the 35th East-West All-Star game today at 6 p.m. at Ventura High's Larrabee Stadium, the gloves are off.

An agreement between East coach Charlie Wegher of Agoura and West coach Todd Therrien of St. Bonaventure has brought a point of emphasis on special teams back into the game.

"We're going to allow a full rush on the kicker and five guys to rush the punter," said Wegher.

In another departure from past All-Star Games, the coaches will allow blitzes if defenses are showing man-to-man coverage, said Therrien.

Most of the area's football teams will be represented in the All-Star Game that is sponsored by the Ventura Downtown Lions Club.

Ticket prices are $8 for general admission and $5 for children under 12.

Notably absent are St. Bonventure running back Darrell Scott, the county's No. 2 career rushing leader, and Moorpark quarterback Adam Barry.

Therrien will have the rare experience of participating in the All-Star Game as a player and a head coach.

In the 1997 game, Therrien was a member of the West team that was "smoked" by the East.

Having a chance to be a member of the St. Bonaventure's coaching staff in the game "has been fun.

"We've had great attendance at practice. They have come to work."

One of the players that has impressed Therrien is defensive end Randi Vines of Santa Clara. Vines was converted from tight end to quarterback during the 2007 season and helped lead the Saints to the Mid-Valley Division title.

"There are a bunch of Pac-10 schools that missed on him," said Therrien.

Wide receivers Albert Mireles and Trevaun Nixon of Hueneme have played well.

"Trevaun may be the best athlete out there," said Therrien. "He comes up with one or two wild plays per practice."

Blake Kreutz of Ventura, Camarillo's Marcus Sanchez and Casey Serna of St. Bonaventure will rotate at quarterback for the West.

Although, with a core of offensive linemen that include St. Bonaventure's Vaughn Dotsy and Chris Perham of St. Bonaventure, Oxnard's Victor Singh and Nordhoff's Kacy Reed, "we're going to get behind them and go downhill," said Therrien.

Members of the West defense include Oxnard's Derek Shutt, Loren Powers of St. Bonaventure, Buena's Vince McCowan, A.J. Guzman of Pacifica and Rio Mesa's Ina Liaina.

Wegher learned from his first experience as an All-Star coach in 1998.

"Eleven years I go, I ran practices more like a training camp," he said. "We went full pads the first day.

"This time, I lightened up. We didn't put on helmets the first couple of days. It would have been fun to have them much longer."

The East will have the services of quarterbacks Doug Shumway of Agoura and Newbury Park's Colby Cameron.

"I'll leave it up to them whether they want to play quarters or halves," said Wegher.

Simi Valley's Langston Jackson and Royal's Derek Morris figure to get most of the East's rushing attempts. The receiving corps include David Gru of Newbury Park, Moorpark's Ryan Murry, Oak Park's Brett Zeolla and Patrick Rohn of Agoura.

Kicker Jordan Mannisto of Westlake is the county's career field goal leader.

Among the East's offensive linemen are Oak Park's Dustin Geyer, Newbury Park's Jack Knauer and Tim Ketaily and Gavin Creps of Thousand Oaks.

Newbury Park linebacker Chance Flaaten and Westlake defensive linemen Tommy Stuart and Tommy Doupe have been impressive.

"Flaaten is really a good hitter," said Wegher. "Stuart has been dominant. Doupe is very hard to block."

Other key defensive players include Thousand Oaks' Evan Yabu and Moorpark's Mike Grimaud.

The Ventura Downtown Lions Club will used proceeds for student scholarships and charity causes.