Not that Neil Crook has anything to prove when he plays in Saturday’s Les Schwab Bowl.

Crook carries an impressive resumé into the 6A/5A all-star football game at Portland’s PGE Park. (Game time is 7 p.m.)

The former West Albany standout is a two-time 5A state defensive player of the year at linebacker who helped the Bulldogs to the state championship.

But he’s still looking forward to one one last contest as a high school athlete.

“All the athletes are gonna be pretty good, and a lot of them are college bound,” Crook said. “It’s going to be good to get a step in between high school and college.”

Crook will be joined on the South team by former West teammates Scot Foss and Will Murphy. Both Foss and Murphy were named first-team all-state on both sides of the ball. Foss played tight end and linebacker, while Murphy was a receiver and defensive back.

West Albany coach Randy Nyquist was named an assistant for the game for a second straight year. The South head coach is Sheldon's Marty Johnson, who led the Irish of Eugene to the 6A title.

While Foss and Murphy are headed to Western Oregon in Monmouth on scholarship, Crook will head to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he will be a preferred walk-on.

Crook was told by BYU coaches during the recruiting period that they liked him and wanted him to join them. But, they added, there were no athletic scholarships available.

But Crook stuck with the school for what he considers a strong academic and spiritual focus. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Crook’s church, runs BYU. He also has family that lives in the area and likes the athletic facilities.

“I like the place. It’s nice and clean,” he said. “It’s really upgraded, a nice, positive atmosphere. It’s an all-around school.”

Crook has been spending his time working in the weight room, with direction from BYU coaches. He'll leave for Provo on June 30 and will join the Cougars for more weightlifting in early July.

“The workouts are really hard, but in the long run it’s going to help a lot,” he said.