By Bob Evans
Sports Editor
July 30, 2012
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| Carrollton’s Cody Walker (1) ran out of the wide receiver slot and returned kickoffs in Friday night’s Times-Reporter Charities All-Star game. |
NEW PHILADELPHIA - It was perhaps one of the most entertaining games in the 35-year history of the Times-Reporter Charities All-Star Football Game, with the outcome not being decided until the final play of the game.
The West scored what would have been the winning touchdown with no time on the clock. Coshocton’s Brody Philabaum hit Garaway’s Gabe Elmore with an 11-yard touchdown pass as time expired, but the West was called for an illegal shift and the touchdown was called back.
After the five-yard penalty and with zero time on the clock, the West was given one more play. Philabaum was sacked by Connor Argento from New Philadelphia to preserve a 24-20 win by the East last Friday night at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium.
“Both sides player hard,” said East Head Coach Matt Lancaster of Indian Valley. “It was a game where their kids and our kids didn’t want to lose, but our kids stuck with it and got the win.”
Carrollton had two players on the East squad, Cody Walker and Damon Anderson.
Walker played wide receiver and returned kicks.
He had a couple of first down catches in the first half and several nice kickoff returns.
Anderson played a strong game at cornerback and was involved in a number of tackles.
Malvern quarterback, Shawn Ball, had a huge game for the East and earned Most Valuable Offensive honors for the East.
Ball scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for the East, including what would be the game winner.
Argento was named the East Defensive MVP. He recorded seven tackles, including the game-ending sack.
Ball also hit Hornet teammate Travis Tucci with a 57-yard strike to set up his game winning touchdown run.
Ball’s first touchdown came on a 42-yard run and he then ran in for the two-point conversion.
“He is a heck of a competitor,” Lancaster said.
West Head Coach Jim Morris agreed.
“He’s a great athlete who understands the game very well,” Morris said.
The West took an early 7-0 lead, scoring on its first position of the game, but the East came back and took a 9-7 lead at halftime.
Dominic Bell scored the East’s first touchdown on a one-yard run. The short drive was set up by a fumble recovery by Malvern’s Kevin Fessenmeyer at the four-yard line. Claymont’s Trent Johnson missed the extra point, but Johnson hit a 27-yard field goal later to give the East their 9-7 halftime lead.
The West took the lead back early in the third quarter when Ridgewood’s Landon Smith intercepted a Ball pass and returned it 60-yards for a touchdown and a 14-9 lead.
Ball gave the lead back to the East on a 42-yard run giving the East a 17-14 lead.
The West took a brief 20-17 lead on a three-yard run by Dover’s Hunter Schneeberger.
Earning MVP honors for the West were Philabaum on offense and Ridgewood’s Landon Smith on defense.
Proceeds from the game went to benefit the Rainbow Connection.
Over $295,000 has been raised for charity from the games. |
