DAYTON, WELOME STADIUM
As is the case in most All-Star games, players get a few practices in during
the process of graduations and track meets to end their high school days. But it
never fails that a few are ready and eager to showcase their football talents
when given the chance.
Friday night the Miami Valley Coaches Association hosted its 21st North-South
All-Star football game. The event which has seen future college stars like Will Allen (Wayne, Ohio State, Tamp Bay) was full of future college players enjoying
the chance to play in front of the home folks one last time.
With a nice breeze and clear skies after a day of storms, the game started
with a bolt of lightning when Vandalia Butler QB Mark Betts hit Northmont WR
Romunn Grigsby (Kansas State) Photo Ro Grigsby
for 44-yards on the first play of the night. Grigsby would earn MVP as the top
receiver in the game after pulling in 5 catches for around 110 yards for the
North.
The North dominates this game with a great offensive line play headed by
Brandon Curtis Photo Brandon Curtis
of Springfield South. Curtis who in my opinion was one of the most underrated OL
prospects in Ohio this past season showed why he will become a major player at
the next level for Bowling Green University. For his effort he
was named the games Offensive Line MVP. Other top OL players for the North
were Northmonts Brandon Armstrong (Miami of Ohio) Photo of Armstrong
They also received great defensive play from players like Northmonts Nii Adjei Oninku (Kentucky) Photo of Nii Adjei Oninku and
Trotwood Madison’s Tyjuan Jones (Cincinnati) Photo Tyjuan Jones
.
But the South didn't leave empty handed in the MVP awards. Centerville
defensive end Dan Cline showed why Western Kentucky Photo Dan Cline is
getting a steal with his outstanding effort against the tough North OL. Cline
was presented with the MVP as the top Defensive Linemen on the night. Many D-I
programs missed on this kid.
Another North player proved some D-I programs wrong. Northmonts Jamar Harris
who had given a verbal to then University of Cincinnati Coach Rick Minter saw
the new Bearcat staff start the recruiting process over. When this happened
Harris found a home at D-I-AA Western Kentucky. Harris showed
his ability to run and catch the ball out of the backfield during the game and
why he's a D-I caliber player in my book.
The South struggled with its offensive line play. This made a rough night for
quarterback Anthony Turner (Bowling Green) Photo Anthony Turner and
the rest of the South offensive threats who didn't get things rolling until late
into the game. But each time they would start putting a series together they
would shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and miscues.
South featured running back Pernell Williams (West Virginia) Photo Pernell Williams
would post a few runs but was never really able to get started. The biggest
threat for the South in the early going was receiver Zach Freshwater
(Ohio Dominican) Photo Zach Freshwater
. Freshwater at one point had the only first down for the South. He
would later have to leave the game with a concussion after a nasty hit from the
North defense.
When all was said and done, the night was a great night for the players and
the Coaches Association. These kids will remember playing in this game and the
friendships they built during the practices and being in battle with each other.
Fan turnout was very good as they saw a nice show to get them ready for the next
two All-Star games with Ohio players and the start of what should be another
great season of Ohio High School Football.