South gets revenge

APPLE VALLEY • Courtney Webbs picked a good night to have the game of his life.

The Serrano defensive back ended his high school career in style with three interceptions, and the South beat the North 24-12 in the High Desert All-Star Football Game at Newton T. Bass Stadium on Saturday night.

Webbs was part of a South defense that forced four turnovers in the game and shut out the North in the second half.

“It was just coverage, staying in there and not letting the ball get behind me,” Webbs said. “It’s been a challenge throughout the whole season that I had. I knew coming into this game that I had to step my game up. ... Best game that I ever played.”

Webbs broke up two passes in addition to his three picks and was named the South MVP.

The North MVP was Desert High School receiver Terrence Wells, who caught four passes for 123 yards and hauled in two touchdowns to help the North keep it close in the first half.

The South moved down the field with ease in the first quarter, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ian Harriman and a 2-yard run by his Hesperia teammate, tailback Gavin Santos.

The North made it a game at the end of the first quarter when Wells broke free on the left side and Silver Valley quarterback Chris Bailey hit him in stride for a 77-yard TD.

Barstow’s DaMario Webb picked off a pass on the next play from scrimmage, and on the following play Silverado’s Darnell Diggs hit Wells for a 40-yard touchdown.

Wells comes from a school most local fans didn’t see last season; Desert is at Edwards Air Force Base and the school was added to the All-Star Game this year. Wells made his presence felt and enjoyed the experience.

“It’s been probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Wells said. “All the guys on the team from other schools ... they were a great group and I would want to play with them again.”

The South’s lead had suddenly dwindled to 14-12, but that was as close as it got. The South defense clamped down on the speedy North offense, and the South controlled the clock with the running of Santos and Apple Valley’s Abdullah Abron.

“The offense did well; up front we did a great job,” said the South coach, Hesperia’s Robert Kistner. “Defensively we tried not to do too much, just do what we do well.”

The South added a 21-yard touchdown pass from Alex Spainhower to Serrano teammate Jamaal Franklin in the second quarter and a 23-yard field goal by Hesperia’s Irvin Martinez in the fourth.

The North forced five turnovers of its own but was plagued by penalties, committing 10.

“Penalties,” North head coach Andy Campbell of Silver Valley said when asked what the difference in the game was. “But I’m proud of the way our kids played, proud of the way they held their composure.”

The South’s victory avenged a 26-23 loss in the inaugural All-Star Game last year. An estimated 4,500 fans watched that game, and the turnout was similar this year.

The game, which features seniors only, was conceived by the Knights of Columbus and sponsored by many local business, including the Daily Press.

Prior to the game, EXP Performance Training hosted a scouting combine for local freshman, sophomores and juniors. Combine stats will appear in the Daily Press and at HighDesertVarsity.com as soon as they are available.

North 6 6 0 0 — 12
South 14 7 0 3 — 24

First Quarter
S — Harriman 1 run (Martinez kick)
S — Santos 2 run (Martinez kick)
N — Wells 77 pass from Bailey (kick failed)
Second Quarter
N — Wells 40 pass from Diggs (run failed)
S — Franklin 21 pass from Spainhower (Martinez kick)
Fourth Quarter
S — Martinez 23 FG

Kris Reilly is the sports editor of the Press Dispatch. He can be reached at 951-6274 or at kreilly@vvdailypress.com.