OHSFCA NORTH SOUTH ALL-STAR CLASSIC: Losing streak snapped, later game ends in overtime tie

Team North running back Marty Tobin (Walsh Jesuit) is looking to take a handoff from quarterback Gavin Peeps during the Division I-III All-Star game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Team North in Division I-III records its first victory after five years. 

MASSILLON, Ohio - Another successful North-South All-Star Classic has concluded, and this year featured some thrilling outcomes.

Division I-III Team North has finally ended a five-game losing streak by defeating Team South 24-3. Following this, the Division IV-VII game was declared a tie, as neither team managed to score during the one-period overtime.

"I feel that pressure we needed to get one for the North," said Brian Baum, Team North Head Football Coach. 

Gavin Peeps of Kent Roosevelt tries to evade the tackle from Christopher (CJ) Bryant during the Div. I-III game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

In the big school game (Div. I-III), both teams got off to a solid start, with neither scoring, ending in a 0-0 tie to end the first quarter. 

Then, North would get rolling, putting points on the scoreboard, first a 38-yard field goal by Cooper Mizeur (Massillon Jackson) to go up 3-0 with 6:50 remaining in the half. 

Brandon (BJ) Serrano (Lorain) would come up with a pick-six. "Once I saw the opportunity, I got going," said Serrano. That defensive score would put North ahead 10-0 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. 

To finish the first half, Marty Tobin from Walsh Jesuit ran hard down the field with several carries, scoring a touchdown on a 1-yard run that put North in the lead 17-0 as they headed into halftime. "I just had a lot of fun today, man," Tobin exclaimed. 

Team South really pushed hard at the start of the third quarter, making it all the way to North's 1-yard line, but ended up with nothing, as quarterback Bodie Smith (Newark) was taken down after a huge hit. 

Perhaps their best chance to score in the game.

Team South Div. I-III lines up for introductions with game director Steve Channell looking on. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Team North would cap off the first victory in five years with a pass from Charlie Levak (CVCA) to Cam Miller (Anthony Wayne), and a late-game fumble from Team South just under two minutes to go in the game would seal the win for Team North.

These guys played their last high school prep football game. "I'm blessed to be here, and you can feel the importance around this game and the importance of high school football," said Peeps. 

The top honors for Team North were given to Marty Tobin for Offensive and BJ Serrano for Defensive. Meanwhile, for Team South, Dre Jackson from Canal Winchester received the offensive award, and Elijah Harris from Middletown took home the defensive Player of the Game award.

Gavin Peeps was the overall game MVP. 

Division IV-VII All-Star Game

In the more physical game of the day, a winner could not be decided. When the game reached zero, Ohio High School Football Game Director Steve Channell noted, as the Ohsfbmedia staff was on the sideline, "The game will go into overtime, and that's from the game director."

Kaden Murphy (Coal Grove) would be the key contributor, as he would score on a 10-yard run that put the first score on the board, taking a 7-0 lead.

South would score once more with 1:45 left in the first quarter, making the score 14-0. Also missing out on a field goal attempt with about five minutes remaining.

Vito Komara of Poland Seminary tries to gain yards on the ground. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Team North would answer back with Jake LaVerde from Kirtland leading the way, and he would connect with Trevon Baxter further down the field for a touchdown, which would still leave them seven points behind as they headed into halftime.

Team South acted fast as they kicked off the third quarter, with Glenville's Arvell Nelson connecting with Ike Lake (Cardinal Mooney) to level the score at 14-14. "Great experience getting out here competing with some great guys in the state," said Nelson. 

That would be the final score of the game, as this game would be called into overtime by members of the OHSFCA. 

Ike Lake of Cardinal Mooney catches a touchdown pass from Glenville's Arvell Nelson. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Overtime

The overtime was decided to be played under high school rules, as both teams would get a possession starting at the 20-yard line, as outlined by Game Coordinator Tony Carr. 

And it would be a one-possession overtime, so a team would have to score or not, and that would decide the game. 

Team South received first possession, but that would end quickly as Daureon Johnson (Akron Buchtel) would intercept a pass from Team North to end their one and only possession. 

As mentioned, any score could lead to a victory. When Team North set up for a field goal, it ended up getting blocked, which concluded the game.

Cooper Bauer (31) of Grandview Heights and Dez'mond Porter (15) of Harvest Prep of Team South secured the block that ended the game in a tie. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

The North-South All-Star Classic game has been held since 1946, making it the longest-running high school football all-star game in the nation. "It's a great game to end your high school experience," said Royster.

After the game, Team North's awards were given to Arvell Nelson from Glenville for offense and Payne DeGray from Colonel Crawford for defense. Also, Team South's offensive award went to Ta'john Royster of Columbus East, while Caeleb Layton (Nelsonville-York) took home the defensive award.

Player of the Game was claimed by Kirtland's Jake LaVerde. Both coaches won the Coach's Award because of the tie.