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The record-setting wide receiver and kick returner was a first alternate on the West All-Star football team.

But the original starter isn't going to be able to play, and Dreffs received word recently that he will take over.

He'll be starting at wide receiver, where he was a key player for the Elks, and a threat to make a big play every time he touched the ball.

It's been a great year for the Elks' football program.

They hosted their first playoff game, won their first playoff game and had two players recruited by college teams.

Now, this.

Dreffs, who'll be a preferred walk-on at Grand Valley State University next fall, became what is thought to be the first Elk Rapids player to be named a starter in the All-Star game.

"We're excited about it," Elks head coach Ed Schindler said. "It'll be fun to go down and watch him.

"I think he'll fit in just great on the West squad. You're going to have a bunch of very good athletes, and certainly Zac is one of those guys."

The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 19 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, and the teams will gather for one week of practice beforehand.

Players will be rotating in and out of the game regularly, so no one will get a lot of playing time.

Schindler's younger brother played in the game, and several of his teammates went on to play in the National Football League -- including Tyrone Wheatley of Michigan.

"It'll give Zac a real good idea of what college is going to look like," Schindler said.

"We'll have a good group that travels down to watch the game, I'm sure. That'll be a lot of fun for our fans, and a little tune-up before our season starts.

"It's a town where we certainly support each other. It could have been any other player on the team, and I think Zac would be going down to see him play."

The players will be honored at a banquet on Friday, July 18.

Just practicing with the West team will be a good experience for Dreffs.

"I think there'll be a little nerves," Schindler said. "Practice is almost more of a thrill than the game, because you're competing against these players.

"The game, you're rotating in and rotating out, and you're not used to that. It'll be a good experience.

"Plus, you stay friends with some of those guys for the rest of your life. And some of them are going to be your teammates (in college).

"It's great for Zac."