South Claims Victory In Montco All Star Football Game

Any of the 3,200 people in attendance at the 2011 Montgomery County All Star Classic that wanted to see a knock-down, drag-out battle till the end were probably disappointed at Monday night’s game ending in a 38-14 rout.

If they were a fan of the blue-clad South squad which rose again to claim the hardware in the 44th annual grid iron meeting of the area's best seniors, the trophy will help displace the memory of a game that will never be confused with a classic in the Pennsylvania sports annals.

What the attendees did witness was an outstanding display of talent in the unique environment that has arch rivals playing together for one purpose and one cause.

“It was cooling playing we guys that are usually trying to kill you,” said Upper Dublin defensive end Ryan Hopkins. “It has been fun practicing the last few weeks with these guys, we all respect each other and this game is about pride and bragging rights, it’s just a fun game to play in.”

The Souderton Rotary club, which has put on the event since for the past 21 years, will be donating a large check to Children’s Tumor Foundation, the primary charity of the event, as a portion of all of the money generated will be donated to help research.

“We love seeing the kids to get together,” Jim Church who has been with the SRC since 1970.  “I love high school football and the Maxwell Club came on board last year and they have really helped us get the word out. We had pro football player Dan Klecko here tonight, we can’t get those people here, we are very thankful to have them involved. Just the name Maxwell Football club gets people interested. It’s a great event and very good cause.”

The Lower Moreland area was well represented by the Lions' Sean Duffy who lined up along side Academy New Church’s Malcom Lites and Reece Ayers on the defensive side of the ball.

“It was cool to be here,” said Upper Moreland’s Dave Driscoll “The first couple days, it like your not sure if guy don’t like you or they are going to take you out, but after we all started playing together it was cool.”

The North had difficulty getting out of its own way offensively, despite a touchdown run by Pottsgrove’s Maika Polamalu, who racked up 42 yards on 11 carries and later converted a two-point conversion, in the first quarter to post the only score for the boys in yellow before the half.

For the South, which now leads the overall series 23-20-1, the longest drive of the game came on its first possession as it marched the length of the field, covering 89 yards on a 10-play drive that consumed 4:13 off the clock, culminating with Germantown Academy quarterback Keith Braccia (193 yards passing, 4 TDS) throwing a 55–yard strike to the awaiting arms of Cheltenham’s Dan Rouse to take a 7-0 lead.

“It was awesome to line up with this much talent on the field,” said Braccia, who plays in the Inter-Ac as the leader of Germantown Academy. “These receivers are so fast, I just had to get the ball out to them and they made the play. This was so much fun to play in this game.”

With enough yellow flapping in the breeze to make the teams feel like they were at Heinze field in Pittsburgh, the South was whistled for 17 penalties for more than 140 yards, but the North could not take advantage and translate the fouls into points.

Bishop McDevitt’s quarterback Martin Henry and running back Gary Postell, who ran for 34 yards, along with brothers Kevin and Joe Polansky with Matt Conroy helped exhort the Lancers presence on the field.

“This was a great way to end our high school football,” said Henry. “It’s a big win, but it was more about just playing football and playing for a good cause.”

North Penn running back Craig Needhammer (7-for35 yards, touchdown) was named the North MVP, while Cheltenham cornerback Chris Stephens claimed the MVY honors for the North with an interception and four tackles.