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This past Friday, June 24th, District IV held their 26th Annual North South All-Star Football Game at Rodney K. Morgans Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. These All-Stars would officially end their high school football careers here.

The opening kick-off went to the South who went three and out on their first set of downs as Ben Carney came up with a huge sack on third down. Following the punt the South’s defense returned the favor, making it difficult for the North to get anything going. Defense on both teams kept things in check through most of the first quarter.

But the South decided not to let the quarter end without something on the board. With approximately 2:50 left on the clock, Christian Schlegel connected with Shawn Turber in the back of the end zone to put the South on top 6-zip. The North answered quickly on their next drive as Travis Bradley launched a bomb into the hands of Austin Lister for a 61-yard touchdown. The extra point by Tyler Basse was good, putting the North in the lead, 7-6.

Halfway through the second quarter the North struck again as Ben Sherman followed a great block by number 44 Ben Carney into the end zone from three yards out. With 8:37 left in the second quarter the North was up, 13-6. Then, with just thirty-one seconds left to play in the first half, QB Nick Becker threaded the needle to Shawn Turber in the midst of three North defenders to get within two at 13-12. The South went for the two point conversion and Tommy Harrison delivered the mail to put the South ahead at half-time, 14-13.

In the third quarter Bradley decided to trust the receiving skills of Austin Lister of Athens, who found a way to pull the ball down among two South defenders for a big North first down. Ben Sherman capped off the drive with a power run through the South’s left side into the end zone. With another Tyler Basse extra point the North was back on top 20-14.

The South answered quickly with a Schlegel bomb to Turber, taking them down to the North’s 39 yard line. Then another deep route to Turber took him 45 yards for the score. The extra point was good and the South squad was back in the lead 21-20.

Then in the forth quarter, as the South tried to extend their lead and seal the deal, the North’s defense forced Schlegel out of the pocket and into a tough throw to Matt Truckenmiller of Warrior Run. But Travis Bradley of Jersey Shore, with a great defensive effort, came up with a critical interception and put into motion the beginning of the end for the South. The North worked the ball down to the South’s 13 yard line where Athens QB Aaron Barry swung the ball out to Keith Batkowski of Montoursville who fought off two South tacklers and dove into the end zone for the go ahead score. Ben Sherman of Troy took in the two point conversion and the North led 28-21 with 8:59 left in the fourth quarter. The North’s defense shut the door on the South’s offensive efforts for the rest of the game, giving the North the victory in a close and hard-fought game.

Both squads played amazingly well after a fairly long stretch off the field. Congratulations to all of the All-Star athletes for your outstanding high school football careers. We wish each of you the very best as you move forward into the next season of your lives.