NUC North/South Senior
All-Star Game
Top Performers
Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina- The grand finale of the All-American Week was the NUC Senior
North South Game. The North built an early 16-0 lead in the first quarter only
to watch the opportunistic South team cause eight turnovers and storm back for
a 35 to 22 victory. More than one person on the North squad noted that the team
speed of the South was like none they had ever seen.
The North squad got on the board first when linebacker
Domonick Brown scooped up a fumble and returned it 45 yards for a score. After
a successful two-point try the North led 8 to 0. The South would put the ball
on the turf again deep in their own zone. But the North would come away empty
handed as defensive tackle Kendall Williams of Bartlett Yancey, NC would block
a 23-yard field goal attempt.
Monmouth Regional, NJ signal caller Jeff Farah would hit
receiver Donquale Williams for a 25 yard gain. Moments later Farrah would hit
Jeremiah Ortiz on a 5-yard touchdown pass for a score. Farrah then hooked up
with Mr. Do-it-all DJ Spurling on the two-point conversion giving the North
squad a commanding 16 to 0 lead.
Early in the second quarter Plano Sr. High School
quarterback Richard Lagow would then lead the North on a 57 yards drive set up
by two long passes to Ohio native Garry Brown. Lagow would call his number inside
the one yard line giving the South its first points of the game.
James Jackson of Lake Region, FL began the South defensive
onslaught with a 44-yard interception thwarting a North Drive with 4:56 left in
the second stanza. On their next possession the North would put the ball on the
ground as the South’s Trent Bowers of Plano Sr., TX corralled the live pigskin.
Tyler Kean of Myrtle Beach then hit a streaking Brown for a 20 yard touchdown
making the score 16 to 14 North.
With only 55 seconds left in the half the North would get
greedy trying to get more points before intermission. The South made them pay
as Stephan Gehringer caused the scrambling quarterback to fumble. Teammate
Chris Pack of Manning, SC would then pick of the loose ball and score with 34
seconds left giving the South its first lead of the game 21 to 16.
The third quarter was a defensive stalemate as neither
offense could mount a serious drive. The highlight of the quarter was an
interception by Tyrone Thompson of Eastern HS, NJ that was stripped away by Brown
giving the South a new set of downs.
The roaming marauder Alex Duncan of Chapel Hill,, NC would
pick off an errant North pass and return it to the 12-yard line. Three plays
later Peach State standout Drew Gibson would pound it in from six yards out
making the score 28 to 16.
The men from up North would not quit as South Lake
Christian, NC quarterback found a streaking Williams for a 26-yard score with
5:04 left in the game. Less than one minute later linebacker Trey Givens would
pick of a South pass and take to the 20-yard line with the score 28 to 22
bringing everyone in the house to their feet.
Gehringer would then take part in the most definitive play
of the game. Sniffing out a short screen he leaped into the air around the
10-yard line and picked it off with one hand. During his return he pitched the
ball to Kailen Chavis who put the stamp on a 90-yard interception return for
score.
North
Domonick Brown, LB,
John Hardin HS, KY
This thick hulking storm trooper of the gridiron made his
presence known early in the game. He was able to demonstrate his speed on his
45-yard fumble return for score in the first quarter. Brown is at his best when
getting vertical after the quarterback. He possesses the size and strength to
bounce around the tackle box at the next level. Over the last two years he has
guided John Hardin, KY to a (27-2) record. Currently he is committed to Eastern
Kentucky, but I have to think that will change before signing day. He is
definitely a DI talent with his academics in order.
Jeff Farrah, QB,
Monmouth Regional, NJ
Farrah may not be the biggest signal caller but that did not
stop him from being one of the more confident and mechanically sound
quarterbacks in this game. He gets good depth in the pocket then uses a smooth
weight transfer to put velocity on his passes. He proved to me that he has the
ability to see the whole field and make the right reads. Farrah also has the
ability to buy more time in the pocket with his feet. This prolific high school
quarterback from New Jersey will most likely sign with an FCS or DII college.
Dubois Ross, WR,
Liberty HS, PA
Ross had a sensational week of practice out running and
jumping his peers for the ball. He only had two catches in the game but the one
in the second half may have been the best catch any receiver made all week. On
an underthrown deep ball Ross was able to sky over the defender and pluck the
ball out of the air like Dwight Howard snagging a rebound. His effort set up the
North’s final score of the game. BCS schools looking for a difference maker at
receiver need to take another gander at this Buffalo commit.
DJ Spurling,
TE/FB/DS, Slinger HS, WI
Spurling did a little of everything for his team. He played
tight end, fullback, and was the deep snapper. He was able to show off his soft
hands on a two-point conversion catch. As a deep snapper he is proficient
enough to actually snap at the next level. Spurling also has the size,
strength, and speed to project as the perfect fullback in the I-Formation.
Right now he plans on walking on at Wisconsin over smaller college scholarship
offers. This may be what is best since he should eventually have an impact for
the Badgers football team one day.
Tyrone Thompson, DB,
Eastern HS, NJ
Thompson not only had a pick in the game but proved to be an
enforcer against the run. He has excellent overall size and body structure for
a safety. I was really impressed with his smooth backpedal and ability to turn
his hips and run with receivers. He was definitely one of the top performers
all week according to the coaches of the North squad. It is really hard to
believe Thompson does not have more offers at this time. At the very minimum he
should have offers from FCS schools in the CAA, Patriot League, and NEC.
Donquale Williams,
WR, Williston-Northampton HS, MA
Williams ended up being the big play receiver for the North
squad. He used his size and elegant stride to create space between himself and
the defenders. He was then able to catch the ball with his hands away from his
body not allowing the defender to make a play on the ball. Williams ran most of
his routes from the slot a position in which he proved too athletic for a
safety or linebacker to cover. There is little question on whether he has DI
ability; so tell me why Bryant University is his only offer? UMass would be
doing themselves a favor if they offered this kid. Williams was honored as the Offensive MVP for the North South All-Star Game.
Others who impressed:
Jackson Day, OL, Penn, IN; Allen
Hall, DB, St. Vincent Pallotti, MD; Wade
Holtsclaw, RB, John Hardin, KY; Trey
Givens, LB, Wilson Central, TN; Brian
Jennings, RB, MacArthur, IL; Dezwan
Polk-Campbell, DL, Whetsone, OH; Cinco
Simmons, ATH, Hillside, NC; Jason
Smith, Hackensack, NJ; Tyler
Topolinski, DK, St, Andrews, ONT
South
Garry Brown, WR,
Westerville South HS, OH
Brown was the go to guy for the South squad in the second
quarter. This receiver is silky smooth with excellent hands. He knows how to
high point the football keeping defensive backs on his backside like a
rebounder. His speed is above average and he has the size to play either slot
or wide receiver. He definitely has DI ability but may have to go the DII route
because of academics. Junior Colleges and MAC schools should double check to
see exactly where Brown stands with his transcript.
Alex Duncan, DB, Chapel
Hill HS, NC
This player has the heart of a lion and the work ethic of a
medieval stone mason. All week long Duncan out performed his competitors with his
superior football IQ and quick hips. Duncan was able to snag one pick in the
game to go along with several pass breakups. Despite not being the biggest
safety he is still not afraid to come up in run support. He is the perfect fit
for the Naval Academy and should have a successful career on the football field
and as an officer.
Stephan Gehringer,
DL, Deer Park HS, TX
Gehringer has a David Pollack complex. Some may say he is
not tall enough or not big enough. But somehow he is always in the backfield
wreaking havoc or out their causing turnovers. This defensive lineman may be a
bit of a tweener (DE/DT) but he simply makes plays. Gehringer was part of two turnovers
that directly resulted in points for the South. This kid has superior grades, strength and the determination
to be something at the next level. I would think he would be a perfect fit for
the Big Sky, MVC or Southland Conferences. His superior effort earned him Defensive MVP for this All-Star Game.
James Jackson, DB,
Lake Region HS, FL
Jackson excelled at several facets in this game. He made
tackles on kick and punt coverage. This slender corner also proved to be fearless
in run support. But the big highlight was his 40 yard interception return.
Jackson may have had as much impact on the South winning this game as any other
player on the football field. He has excellent height, long arms, and the
reaction time of an ocelot. This guy could be a real sleeper for some college
looking for a ball hawking corner from the Sunshine State.
Richard Lagow, QB,
Plano Sr. HS, TX
Lagow did not start off the game the way he would have liked
but he sure did a great job managing it from the second quarter on. He is at
his best taking snaps in the shotgun and spreading the ball all over the field.
For a 6-foot-6, 225-pound signal caller he proved to be fairly light on his
feet. He was able to scramble outside the pocket while keeping his head
downfield on his receivers. I think he has all the tools to be successful at
UConn. He was definitely a candidate for Offensive MVP in this game.
Joshua Patrick, LB,
SW DeKalb HS, GA
Patrick was a big part of that tenacious swarming Southern
defense that baffled the North squad. He was part of two turnovers; falling on
a fumble late in the second quarter and forcing the deciding pick with his pass
rushing skills in the fourth quarter. Patrick has the strength and girth to
excel as an inside linebacker at the next level. His grades are in order so you
should be seeing him making his impact at either a quality FCS school or a DI
college next year.
Rashad Payne, LB,
Stephenson HS, GA
Payne got off to a fast start recording two tackles on his
first defensive series. He also spent some time in the backfield hammering
backs before they could even get out of their own tracks. When this linebacker
hits there is usually a loud whacking sound followed by a roar from the crowd. This
kid was loved by the defensive coaches and respected by his teammates on the
gridiron. Academics are the only thing holding this guy back from playing at
the FCS or FBS level. Look for him to sign with North Carolina A&T if his
visit goes well.
Kendall Williamson,
DL, Bartlett Yancey, NC
Williamson has superior overall body structure for an
interior defensive lineman. He has little to no bad body weight and is stronger
than a raging bull. Williamson was quick off the ball and demonstrated incredible
lateral movement. He was phenomenal down near the goal
line keeping the North squad off the score board. Williamson blocked a field
goal attempt and was in on multiple tackles for loss. He was the other serious
candidate for Defensive MVP in this All-Star Game. Williamson most likely
projects as a quality FCS level interior defensive lineman.
Others who impressed:
Wesley Boone, FB, Ayoyelles, LA; Trent
Bowers, DL, Plano Sr., TX; Kailan
Chavis, DB, Hopewell, NC; Bobby
Crawford, OL, Ft. Bend Travis, TX; Tyler
Keane, QB, Myrtle Beach, SC; Marshall
Harmon, LB, Kinder, LA; Hunter
Holmes, P, The Gunnery School, TX; Alex
Louthan, K, Grayson, GA; Calvin
Mapp, III, ATH, Grayson, GA; Chris
Pack, DL, Manning, SC; Dane Stevens,
OL, Mt. Paran Christian, GA
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