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Local players shine, lead West to 12-7 win in Northeastern Kentucky East-West Senior Bowl
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By CHUCK HAMILTON Sports Writer
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MOUNT STERLING - The West squad, which included local football stalwarts from area high schools Mason County, Fleming County and Lewis County, exacted a measure of revenge in Friday's second annual East-West Senior Bowl by emerging with a 12-7 win over the East team. In last year's game the East came from behind to claim a 38-21 win in Ashland but the tables were turned this time.
Following a scoreless first half, the West got on the scoreboard with 9:55 to play in the third quarter when Raceland quarterback Scott Grizzle connected with Russell wide receiver Marcus Frazier in the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown. Frazier made a spectacular diving catch on the score and Preston Freeman of Ashland booted the extra point. The first points of the game came after the West all-stars fumbled in their own territory to set up the quick strike.
But the blue-clad West team recovered quickly as the ensuing kickoff was returned to the East 37 on a scintillating 53-yard return from Lewis County's D. J. Jordan.
Clark County's Clint Greene did the rest by taking a handoff from Fleming County quarterback Bailey Ellison for a 37-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. The try for a two-point conversion pass attempt went awry and the West trailed 7-6.
On their next possession, the East coughed up the ball on their own 34 and Mason County's Chris Marshall pounced on the fumble to set the West up in great field position. But the offense sputtered and the West team was forced to punt again, and Clark County's Ryan Farthing pinned the East deep in their own territory at the 14. Following a short run, Grizzle was picked off by Fleming County's Jesse Roberts to give the West outstanding field position at the East 10, but they were unable to capitalize.
A short field goal attempt by Farthing was blocked, giving the East possession at their own 14. Another three-and-out series followed by the East and Raceland's Derrick Beach had his punt blocked, once again giving the West excellent field position at the East five-yard line.
This time, the West was able to take advantage.
Greene ran for four yards and then plunged into the end zone from one yard out to give the West a 12-7 lead with 17.8 seconds left in the third period. Again, a two-point pass try was incomplete but the outstanding West defense held on for the victory.
The fourth quarter saw both defenses rise to the occasion, forcing punts by both teams until the win was sealed when Grizzle was sacked and fumbled away the ball as time ran out.
Tom Posey, Mason County Middle School head coach and the game organizer, was thrilled with the quality of the game as well as the tremendous crowd that came out on the warm June evening.
“What a whale of a game,” exclaimed Posey after handing out Outstanding Player awards to the East's Frazier and Raceland's J. T. Forrest, who earned the award for his defensive play. The defensive Outstanding Player award for the West went to Mason County's Richard Wells, who seemed to live in the East backfield the entire game, consistently putting pressure on Grizzle, who was forced to scramble on numerous occasions. Greene took the Outstanding Player trophy for the East offense after rushing for 58 yards and both of their touchdowns.
Posey was also ecstatic about the crowd and is already preparing for the 2008 East-West Senior Bowl.
“Everything went really well, Montgomery County High School did a great job hosting the game and the officials and coaches did an outstanding job,” Posey said. “It was a great turnout, just as last year's game was, and I'm looking forward to this game getting bigger and better each year.”
Wells, who was the difference maker on defense for the West from his end position, was also flashing a huge smile following the win.
“Our defense was really together all week and Coach (Dan) Gooch (of Montgomery County) and the entire staff did a great job of preparing us,” said Wells, who also mentioned he is leaning toward attending Ohio Wesleyan in the fall.
Roberts, the speedy Fleming County receiver-defensive back, who came up with the key interception (and nearly picked off a pair of other passes), said the game was a lot of fun and that he will probably run track at Morehead State and possibly walk on to the football team as well.
Winning West quarterback Ellison, who likely played his final organized football game, mentioned how much he enjoyed the week leading up to the game.
“It was fun getting to play with Robbelle Rogers (of Clark County) again after being teammates with him in middle school,” Ellison said. “It was also fun meeting new guys from different schools and it was also great to end my career on a winning note.”
Rogers, a very talented athlete who played both ways during the game, especially starring on the defensive side of the ball, said before the game that he may be playing collegiately at Eastern Kentucky University.
Overall, it was an enjoyable atmosphere and a very well-played game for an all-star contest, particularly defensively, where Gooch and his staff, which included Fleming County head coach Gene Peterson and Mason County assistant coach Chris Ullery, had an outstanding game plan. |
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