DIGITAL GALLERY
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Seth Dawkins of Franklin Heights made a grand opening statement and North Ridgeville’s Damario McCall, a fleet Ohio State University recruit, was up to that challenge during Saturday’s big-schools Ohio North-South All-Star Classic high school football doubleheader at Welcome Stadium.
Dawkins returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to electrify an otherwise rained-on but appreciative crowd to start a 49-26 South win. Incredibly, McCall did the same on the ensuing kickoff for the North, blasting 99 untouched yards down the sideline just like Dawkins.
“It was like they got a lucky one off so I felt I had to return one for the team,” said McCall, a short but powerful and elusive runner who should contend at H-back for the Buckeyes next fall. “I had the adrenalin rushing so the moment I seen the ball in the air all I was thinking about was catching it. Once I got it in my hands I knew I had the touchdown when I had the outside dude one-on-one.”
That was a preview of more quick-strike, first-quarter offensive fireworks that also included an 80-yard TD strike from quarterback Deeb Haber (Olentangy) to Pitt recruit Ruben Flowers III (Lima Senior). The defensively challenged teams combined for 26 points and four touchdowns in the opening 5:54.
In contrast, the South won the small-schools (Divisions IV-VII) opener 16-7.
Running back Benny Snell (Westerville Central) scored on three short runs and was named the big schools MVP. Dawkins, headed to Louisville, also had a 31-yard TD pass from Haber and was named the South offensive MVP. The South defensive player of the game was Kameron Teacher (Central Crossing).
McCall also scored on a 62 pass from QB Chase Bodeman (Toledo Whitmer) and was named the North offensive MVP. The North defensive MVP was defensive back Dimitri Redwood (Midview).
South 16, North 7; small schools: Quarterback Trent McIntyre (Triad) hit Neriah Brooks (Reading) with a 30-yard touchdown strike to put the South up 7-0 with 8:06 left in the first quarter. That early lead held up through the end of the half.
Augustus Necastro (Brookfield) lofted a 40-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Sadzewicz (West Salem Northwestern) and Kasey Tingler (Brookfield) added the extra-point kick to pull the North even at 7-all early in the third quarter.
Running back Johnie Blue (Steubenville) bulled over from one yard to put the South up 13-7 with 4:15 left in the third quarter. Benton Bair (Grandview) kicked a 28-yard field goal with 1:22 left to complete scoring for the South.
South receiver Drew Ogletree (Northridge) had five catches.
“It’s an honor,” said the Findlay signee. “I was really excited to play in this game and I met a lot of new friends I’m hoping to hook up with in the summer and work out with.”
The North had two of five OSU recruits playing, offensive lineman Gavin Cupp (Leipsic) and tight end Luke Farrell (Perry). Both were significant contributors and will be roommates as Buckeyes.
Cupp was asked if he’s a fan of the NFL draft.
“I love it,” he said. “Like (OSU) coach (Urban) Meyer said, it’s a three-hour advertisement on why you should go to the Ohio State program. Do I think about the draft? I don’t look at it like that. I love Ohio State. I’m just trying to get out of high school right now.”
South defensive lineman Cain Madden (Minford) was the game MVP. Offensive MVPs were the South’s Neriah Brooks (Reading) and the North’s Jeremy Miller (Norwayne). Defensive MVPs were Rian Anderson (Hartley) of the South and Chase Gore (Bellevue) of the North.
• The games are sponsored by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association. Players were nominated and selected by association members. This was the fourth straight year Dayton has hosted the Classic.
“It’s a lot of work but you find something that you love to do and you go do it,” said Classic director Steve Channell, the head coach at Miamisburg. “I just love working with kids and high school football.”
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