Football: South Stuns The North At The Death To Win Lions All-Star Game

Summary of the Tracy Press recap of the 2024 Lions All-Star Football Game, where the South survived a fourth-quarter North rally and won on a touchdown pass with four seconds left.

The 47th Annual Central California Lions All-Star Football Game delivered a dramatic finish at Tracy High's Wayne Schneider Stadium, with the South stunning the North 18-15 on a late touchdown pass with just four seconds remaining.

The game was low-scoring for most of the night, but the fourth quarter turned into a wild finish. The South led 12-0 entering the final period before the North stormed back behind quarterback Samson Hunkin of St. Mary's and key plays from his former Rams teammate Adam Taylor.

South Wins It Late

After the North took its first lead with 1:15 left, South quarterback David Herrera of Los Banos answered with the game-winning drive. Herrera shook off two interceptions and moved the South into scoring position before finding Trace Hernandez of Central Catholic for a 19-yard touchdown with four seconds on the clock.

Herrera threw for 133 yards and added important rushing yards late. Hernandez finished with six catches for 106 yards, including the winning score.

MVP Performances

• Wayne Schneider MVP: Aiden Muhammad of Enochs, who rushed for 77 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns.
• Bob Mattos Defensive MVP: Jalonn Booth of Merced, who led the South defense with nine tackles and five sacks.
• Les Ratzlaff Offensive MVP: Samson Hunkin of St. Mary's, who threw for 249 yards and helped bring the North back in the fourth quarter.

Muhammad gave the South its first lead early in the second quarter on a 36-yard touchdown run, then extended the lead after halftime with a 2-yard touchdown. The South defense controlled much of the first three quarters before Hunkin and the North finally broke through.

North Rally

The North got on the board five seconds into the fourth quarter when Hunkin connected with Troyaaron Davis of McNair for a touchdown. Hunkin then found Elijah Chrim of Lincoln for the two-point conversion to cut the South lead to 12-8.

Late in the fourth, Adam Taylor intercepted Herrera in the end zone to give the North another chance. With 75 seconds left, Hunkin found Taylor for an 18-yard touchdown that put the North ahead 15-12.

The South still had enough time. After a sack by Javonnie Haymon of Edison, Herrera responded with a key keeper, Muhammad added a short run into the red zone, and Herrera stopped the clock before the final touchdown to Hernandez.

Tracy-Area Standouts

The North roster included nine Tracy-area players. Aidan Van Os of Tracy, one of the North captains, helped lead a fourth-quarter drive and reflected on getting one final high school football experience at Wayne Schneider Stadium before continuing at American River College.

• Troyaaron Davis (McNair): Led North receivers with 75 yards on eight catches.
• Jamin Miller (Escalon): Finished with 135 total yards, including 68 receiving and 67 rushing.
• Bodie Lychak (Kimball): Had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception.
• Maxwell Laird (Tracy): Added four tackles and stopped a two-point conversion.
• Nehemiah Williams (Mountain House): Had four tackles and served as one of the North captains.
• Noah Reffell (Kimball): Caught two passes for 33 yards.

Other local players included Junior Saavedra, Jac Easthouse, and Isaac Tapelu of Kimball, along with former Tracy Bulldog Samear Lattier. After the South win, the North still led the all-time series 26-19-2.

Adapted for the Lions All-Star Football website from a Tracy Press story by Arion Armeniakos, published June 23, 2024. Contact Arion Armeniakos at aarmeniakos@tracypress.com.