MVFCA ALL-STAR
FOOTBALL GAME
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Centerville H.S.
Who: North vs. South
Head coaches: North's Joel Marratta (Kenton Ridge); South's Dion Black (Miamisburg)
Tickets: $6 at the gate.
DIGITAL EXTRA
View video at MyDaytonDailyNews.com
Spencer Crisp has extra motivation for playing in Friday’s North-South all-star football game. When you play high school football at Centerville and don’t make the postseason, that’s reason enough to mount some unfinished business.
“It’s very un-Centerville-like,” said Crisp following all-star practice at Alter this week. “It gets the juices flowing and gets me excited to play in my next high school football game for redemption.”
VIDEO: South RB Spencer Crisp
The 33rd annual North-South Miami Valley Football Coaches Association All-Star Football Game will be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Centerville. Joel Marratta (Kenton Ridge) is the North head coach and Dion Black (Miamisburg) and South head coach.
RELATED: North-South should make their points, video
Like Crisp, it’s the final high school-like football all of the players will participate in, although all are recent graduates.
Crisp, 5 feet 10, 215 pounds, was mostly a blocking fullback for the Elks (6-4) last season. He had 11 receptions for 87 yards and scored four touchdowns. Centerville lost its first two games by a total of four points and was knocked out of Division I playoff contention by rival Wayne in a Week 10 showdown.
“It’s really exciting and I can’t wait,” said Crisp, who’ll play football at Taylor (Ind.) University. “All the fluids are flowing and it’s one more opportunity to play the game I love in high school before the next level. It means everything to play at my home field and one more opportunity to prove what I didn’t get to prove from last season. I have a bitter taste in my mouth.”
Joining Crisp on the South team is Centerville teammate and kicker Grant Tinnerman (Bowling Green State University).
• The North team has been practicing at Piqua’s Alexander Stadium, which features Field Turf. Marratta said the squad has undergone a lot of roster turnover since practice began in mid-May and is down to two running backs. Piqua head coach Bill Nees is a North assistant. His son, Piqua grad Alex Nees, is a North defensive back.
• The South squad has been practicing at Alter’s practice field, which also has Field Turf. Carroll head coach Ben Rulli is the South’s offensive coordinator. T.J. Sommers, a Carroll grad and tight end, injured a shoulder during practice and likely won’t play for the South. He’s committed to playing football at Robert Morris.
• Tickets are $5 in advance and available from coaches and players. The cost is $6 at the gate.
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