Bittersweet ending for North

The North walked away from the 42nd annual District 4A-1 Lions All-Star Game with mixed emotions after seeing a 38-21 halftime lead vanish in a 51-38 loss to the South at Wayne Schneider Stadium in Tracy.

The defeat extended the North's winless stretch in the series to three years, though it still held the all-time advantage at 24-16-2. For North coach John Ward and his players, however, the biggest takeaway was not only the collapse on the scoreboard but also the demanding week they had survived together through player losses, Pacific dorm life, practices at Stagg High, and brutal triple-digit heat.

Nate Jones of Tracy, who was named the game's Offensive MVP, said the group would always remember that grind, especially the 104-degree heat from Monday's first full workout. Jones rushed for 125 yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns, including the North's first points on a leaping direct-snap run from the 7-yard line and later an explosive 88-yard touchdown on his home field.

The North also got big plays from Rashaad Cooper of Kimball, who broke loose for a 60-yard touchdown run, and Connor Hamilton of Calaveras, who scored on a short direct snap. Julius Davila of Chavez finished 10 of 17 passing for 105 yards with one touchdown, an 18-yard fade to Hunter Johnson of Sierra, but also threw two interceptions.

That was where the second half turned. After P.J. Wilson of Modesto-Downey was forced out with an injury, the South handed the offense to Nate Phillips of Modesto, who earned game MVP honors by going 12 of 20 for 123 yards with two touchdown passes, one interception, and 71 rushing yards plus another score. Phillips' late 18-yard touchdown keeper put the comeback away for good.

Ward and Jones both pointed to the Lions Game's unusual nine-point rule, where a team trailing by nine or more receives the kickoff right back after scoring, as one factor that fed the South's second-half momentum. Still, Ward stressed that the North had to make stops regardless, and he gave the South credit for capitalizing once the game shifted.

The North defense still flashed with playmakers, including an interception by Brandon Russell of Tracy and a fumble recovery by Kiante Bell of Edison. But the emotional image that lingered for Ward after the loss was embracing Labron "LJ" Alofaituli of Sierra afterward, grateful for the week the players had spent together even if the final result left a sting.

View 2015 North Roster View 2015 South Roster