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Photograph by Paul Myers
Hauling Down: Fighting for yardage for the North all-star team is Evan Wallace of Wilcox as South defender Ricky Green of Independence tries to haul him down. The North won the game 24-17.
Douglas the difference for North
Bells' Wu delivers big block for South
By Dick Sparrer
There are no most valuable players selected in the annual Silicon Valley Youth Classic Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game.
But if there were, Monta Vista's Justin Douglas certainly would have been walking home with the trophy last week.
Douglas intercepted two passes that set up touchdowns, forced a fumble that set up a third TD and made a couple of key tackles. His performance sparked the North to an impressive 24-17 win over the South in 27th annual Wedemeyer Classic sponsored by the Almaden Rotary Club and played last Wednesday night at Independence High School in East San Jose.
The North opened up 24-3 lead, then held off the South comeback in what was arguably the most competitive summer high school all-star game in 10 years.
"Seeing as how the North hadn't won in two years, it was important to take it back to the North side," said a smiling Douglas after the game.
Los Gatos linebacker Nick Skrabe agreed.
"We wanted to have a good time," said Skrabe of the all-star experience. "But the papers didn't say much about the North, so it felt good to pull through with the victory."
"It showed that we have some talent, too," he added.
The North squad certainly showed off its talent -- much of it coming from Douglas, Skrabe and the rest of the North defensive squad. The defense gave North quarterback Jason Campbell and his offense a short field with five turnovers, four of them setting up scoring opportunities for the North.
It was the two of two interceptions by Douglas that set up the North's first touchdown, a 16-yard pass from Campbell to Paul Garces (Santa Clara).
The South answered back with a field goal, but a second turnover -- this one a fumble recovery by linebacker Marcus Rehbein (Mitty) -- set up a 34-yard field goal by Gordon Hawley (Lynbrook). Hawley also converted after each of the North's three touchdowns.
On the first play after the kick off, Douglas struck again. He picked off another pass and appeared headed for a score. He dove for the zone, but was ruled down at the 2.
"I thought I was in," said Douglas.
Two plays later, the North did get in when Dustin Steward (Gunn) powered over from the 1.
Douglas almost appeared to be the intended receiver on each of the passes he picked off.
"I think he thought the [receiver] was going to be there," said Douglas of the South quarterback. "My eyes just lit up."
It was Douglas and Skrabe who combined to set up the North's final touchdown of the night. Douglas pounded South running back Jason Harrison on the first play after the second half kickoff to force a fumble, and Skrabe was there to pounce on the football to give the North possession at the South 25.
Michael Collins (Milpitas) went 11 yards on second down, then swept the right side for 14 yards and a touchdown on the next play. Right tackle Carl Simien (Prospect) delivered a key block at the point of attack and right guard Kasey Padia (Leigh) pulled to lead Collins to paydirt.
Harrison, who finished with one of the biggest nights in all-star history with 114 yards rushing on 10 carries, scored on an 8-yard run in the third period and quarterback Freddy Ramos (Santa Teresa) scored on a 4-yard run in the fourth to cut the North lead to 24-17.
And the South had a great opportunity for a game-tying touchdown in the final seconds when Harrison runs of 21 and 32 yards took the Rebels to the North 23 inside the final minute. But a Jack Galante (Valley Christian) pass was dropped in the end zone, and three more passes fell incomplete.
The North ran out the clock for the win.
Campbell led the North offensive charge in the win. The Del Mar quarterback directed the offense for the entire game and hooked up on seven-of-13 passes for 83 yards and the one touchdown.
Wallace led the North ground attack with 61 yards on nine carries.
Wusu was among the defensive leaders for the South with seven tackles and a blocked pass, and Rehbein and Heavi Williams (Del Mar) were in on five tackles apiece. Skrabe, Padia, Rui Martins (Santa Clara) and Sai Pela (Los Altos) were in on four tackles each, and Jerry Walker (Del Mar) and Sione Taufoou (St. Francis) were in on three apiece.
Despite the loss, the South dominated the offensive star charts in the game with 321 yards of total offense.
Harrison led the way with his 114 yards rushing and Heath Ferreira (Valley Christian) came through with 83 yards on 10 tries.
Ramos hit on 3-of-5 passes for 48 yards and Galante completed 5-of-14 passes for 28 yards. Ferreira led all receivers with three catches for 28 yards.
Clinton Wu (Bellarmine) caught a pass and also delivered an impressive block on Ramos' touchdown run in the fourth. The tight end blocked two defenders on the play to help Ramos sweep into the end zone.
Greg Barttels (Gunderson) led the South defense with six tackles and Cameron Wright (Valley Christian) was in on five stops, blocked a pass and recovered a game-opening onside kick. Hakeem Lee (Silver Creek) had four tackles and intercepted a pass.
Josh McDonnell (Pioneer) was in on three tackles and recovered a fumble, and Tim Scheffer (Pioneer), Timothy Higbee (Lincoln) and Brian Bugarin (Leland) were also among the tackling leaders.
Justin Basanese (Valley Christian) drilled a 40-yard field goal in the second period to get the South on the scoreboard and cut the North lead to 7-3. He also popped a couple of extra points.
Gabe Candelaria (Willow Glen) played wide receiver for the South, but didn't get a pass thrown his way in the game.
Danny Yoder (Bellarmine) was also a member of the South roster.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
