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Norwalk~The 43rd annual 605 All-Star Football Classic started off slow as neither team could find its niche, but the West eventually did, and won the game, 25-19, at Cerritos College.
On its first possession, East QB Chris Leachman (LB POLY) threw a duck; and it was picked off by the West squad's Phillip Wilson (LB WILSON). Then, on a crucial 4th and 6, West QB Alden Darby (LB MILLIKAN), rolled right only to find East squad Defensive End Adrian Cortez (NORWALK), there to stop him.
Midway through the second quarter, a break down in coverage allowed for the West squad to score.
While The Guru was in the bathroom the West scored again!
Then as the first half was winding down, East squad RB Davion Edwards(NORWALK), plunged in from two yards out. That would take us to the half, with the score 12-6, in favor of the West.
East Coach Jim Arnold must have had a heck of a rallying cry at halftime, because the East squad came out on fire and ready to take over.
The East struck first at 3:37 left in the 3rd quarter, when Arnold leaned on a familiar player in Cal High's TB TJ Jones as he scored around right end behind some great blocking up front. Then, with the score now 13-12 Coach Arnold went for two, and it was again TJ Jones who converted and gave the East a 15-12 lead with 3:37 left in the third. Both teams started to get a little choppy at this point, however no one was ejected.
The game became a defensive struggle until 5:11 left in the 4th when QB Steven Cervantes (DOWNEY), struck, and found a wide open receiver in the back of the end zone. Momentum seemed to be swinging the West squad's way, until a critical 3rd and 4 play when Alex Gonzales (WHITTIER) looked to be stopped a yard short; but LB Prince Fuiamano (LB JORDAN) knocked him past the sticks and gave the East a first down. On the next play, QB Leachman found a streaking Travon Payne (ARTESIA) down the home sideline as he found his way to the end zone.
With the score 22-19 with 3:39 left in the game, the West squad crumbled at that point, and turned the ball over in their own end of the field.
The East tacked on 3 more points courtesy of the leg of Kicker Tyler Hadden (CAL HIGH).
The game ended with TJ Jones of Cal High being named MVP! What a great game, hats off to both teams and all of its participants.
Guru Notes: Look out next week for my recap of Spring Football. I expect for there to be a lot of shake-ups this season. It will be a curious scene to see whether La Mirada or Norwalk can live up to their pre-season hype of potentially winning the Southeast Division! Take care be safe and stay hydrated!
"THE GURU" |
