Lions FB: Two kicks lead to North win
The North snapped a six-year winless streak in the series by edging the South 19-18 in the 46th Central California Lions All-Star Football Game on Saturday night at Lincoln High in Stockton. The win also pushed the North to a 25-19-1 lead in the all-time series.
Grant Stevenson of Lincoln directed three scoring drives and was named the Wayne Schneider MVP. His two late touchdown passes changed the game in the fourth quarter, including a 20-yard scoring pass to Chaz Davis of Bear Creek and the go-ahead 39-yard touchdown to Fletcher Pitts Jr. of Weston Ranch with 2:26 left. John Arbuckle of Calaveras then converted the extra point that gave the North its final margin.
The finish stayed tense to the end. The South, led by head coach Shaun King of Hughson, answered with a late drive behind quarterback Xavier Rodriguez of Grace Davis and moved deep into North territory after a 35-yard pass to Tyler Vargas of Orestimba. A potential go-ahead touchdown run by Zaire Eugene of Modesto was wiped out by penalty, and on a late field-goal try from the 15-yard line, officials ruled that Jordan Doyle of St. Mary's had deflected the kick before contact, waving off roughing-the-kicker flags after conference. The kick fell short and the North held on.
Jason McCloskey of Mountain House, the North head coach, praised Stevenson for the way he finished his high school career, while Stevenson credited his receivers and offensive line for helping him deliver in the closing minutes. Earlier in the game, Vlad Sutherland of Mountain House scored on a nine-yard run, and he later was named the North's inspirational player.
The South still left with major honors. Jonah Kosakiewicz of Turlock was selected as the Les Ratzlaff Offensive MVP after a strong all-around performance that included a touchdown run and a 50-yard touchdown pass to Trey Longstreth of Gregori. Zaire Eugene earned the Bob Mattos Defensive MVP after also contributing on offense, while Dhameer Warren of Merced and Jaquile Ingram of Modesto were among the game's top tacklers. Clifford Johnson of Merced was named the South's inspirational player.
View 2019 North Roster View 2019 South Roster