South dominates before rain shortens game

JOHNSTOWN - The weather was the only thing that could stop the South team's offense in Saturday night's 38th annual Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Football Classic at Johnstown's Trojan Stadium.

Lightning and a subsequent downpour brought the game to a halt with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter, but by that time the outcome was already decided as the South had built up a 33-0 lead over the North.

A dominating performance by the offensive and defensive lines allowed the South to roll up 378 total yards, while the North was limited to just 56 yards and three first downs.

''Our offensive and defensive lines really did the job,'' said South head coach Stacy Schmitt of North Star. ''Our guys came together as a unit and looked like they've played together for years.

''This was a very talented, but also very unselfish group of players who did a superb job of working together.''

Johnstown's Antwuan Reed rushed for 123 yards on 11 carries and one score for the South, and the Pitt-bound speedster added a 53-yard punt return. Matt Varga of Bishop McCort had a pair of touchdown receptions to earn offensive back MVP honors for the South, while quarterback Jordan Kaufman of Somerset threw a pair of scoring passes.

''We couldn't take advantage of a couple of early breaks, and never got any momentum,'' said North head coach Dave Small of Purchase Line. ''There was no lack of effort on the part of these kids, but we were just physically outmatched up front.''

The North started off well, picking up a pair of first downs on the opening drive of the game. However, the South defense held and stopped the North on downs at the South 38.

On the next series, Conemaugh Valley's Josh Siwy gave the North another opportunity when he picked off a pass by Jordan DeFrances of Bishop McCort and returned it 45 yards to the South 30. The North was unable to capitalize, as it was once again stopped on downs.

Game notes: Other MVP scholarship award winners for the South included defensive back Will Harris of Johnstown, offensive lineman Brett Shippey of Bedford and defensive lineman Shad Nair of North Star. The North MVP scholarship awardees were offensive back Chris Hibbs of Blairsville, defensive back Adam Petrosky of Central Cambria, offensive lineman Sean Billings of Bishop Carroll, and defensive lineman Jonathan Rajnish of Northern Cambria. The David Rizzo Leadership Award went to Ligonier's Jon Cotchen, and the Paul Shandor Award was given to Marion Center's Alex Borst. Academic Achievement scholarships went to Central Cambria's Shane McGregor, Varga, and Siwy.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

North0 0 0 - 0

South8 19 6 - 33

First quarter

S-Varga 10 pass from Kaufman (Fenton pass from Kaufman) 0:00

Second quarter

S-Edwards 34 run (pass failed) 9:49

S-Webb 10 pass from Kaufman (pass failed) 3:24

S-Varga 44 pass from Fenton (Balyard kick) 0:16

Third quarter

S-Reed 29 run (kick failed) 13:14

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: North-McGregor 2-3, Lydick 5-8, Peles 5-5, Geisbrecht 2-2, HIbbs 1-2, McDermott 5-5, Dunchack 6-14. South-Reed 11-123, Edwards 7-66, DeFrances 1-(-5), Fleegle 4-19, Webb 2-(-5), Kaufman 3-36, Baker 1-5.

PASSING: North-McGregor 3-9-0-17. South-DeFrances 3-9-1-56, Kaufman 4-6-0-39, Fenton 1-1-0-44.

RECEIVING: North-Hibbs 2-26, Peles 1-(-9). South-Varga 3-62, Khuri 2-19, Webb 2-38, Fenton 1-20.

INTERCEPTIONS: North-Siwy 1-45.

TEAM STATISTICSN S

First downs316

Yards rushing26-3929-239

Passing (comp.-att.-int.)3-9-08-16-1

Yards passing17139

Total yards56378

Fumbles lost4-01-0

Penalties-yards1-151-5

Punts-avg.4-400-0

Member Comments

View Comments: | Post a comment

No comments posted for this article.

You must first login before you can comment.

Existing Member Login
Not a Member?	Create a Member Account
*Your email address:		<--Email REQUIRED!
*Password:	Forgot Password?	<--Password REQUIRED!
	Remember my email address.