Skip to content
The North celebrated a 12-6 victory against the South in the Brea Lions Orange County All-Star Game on Thursday night at Orange Coast College. The victory snapped a record-tying five-game winning streak by the South.
The North celebrated a 12-6 victory against the South in the Brea Lions Orange County All-Star Game on Thursday night at Orange Coast College. The victory snapped a record-tying five-game winning streak by the South.
Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

COSTA MESA A closer look at some of the key factors in the North’s 12-6 victory in the Brea Lions Orange County All-Star Game on Thursday night at Orange Coast College:

• The North’s Fullerton coaches made three important adjustments at halftime, trailing, 6-0, after two quarters.

First, the North’s offensive line switched to a zone blocking scheme to combat the South’s quick and stunting defensive line. The hope, North co-coach Gus Martinez of Fullerton said, was to simplify the blocking in the trenches, especially against ends Jack Bares of Tesoro and Taylor Prenovost of Santa Margarita. The strategy worked: the South didn’t record a sack in the second half.

Secondly, the North shortened its pass routes to combat the South’s speed on defense, Martinez said. The short-passing attack allowed the North to move the ball better. Villa Park quarterback Dylan Osborne looked sharper, completing his first four passes in the second half. And on Scott Lloyd’s game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass to Neil Pau’u, the wide receiver from Servite took a more shallow angle to the ball thrown by the Fullerton quarterback, Martinez said.

And thirdly, the North and defensive coordinator Ed De Avila of Fullerton moved Los Alamitos’ Michael Hayden from linebacker to the defensive line and the All-County pick responded with a sack and tackle for loss on the North’s biggest defensive stand. Hayden and the North forced the South to punt from its end zone, giving the North a short field for its game-winning drive.

• One of the goals of the Fullerton players and coaches was show their abilities on a county-wide stage. “I think we got that done,” Martinez said. “It was special for all of us.”  Lloyd earned the game’s offensive MVP.

Martinez believed Fullerton linebacker Matt Hall and North cornerback London Iakopo of Mater Dei were candidates for the defensive player of the game award, which went to Bares. And Fullerton safety Deryck Fletcher had an interception and Fullerton’s Cody Takkinen played center.

• The North entered as the underdog, riding a five-year losing streak, but was the more physical team. Martinez said Fullerton attempts to play with the same attitude. He said the North’s defense played with an “edge” that sparked the physical play. “There were a lot of big hits,” he said. “I have to give most of the credit to our defense.”

• The hard-hitting Iakopo was a late roster addition. “He was everywhere,” Martinez said.

• Whittier Christian punter Derek Brush was an unsung hero for the North by speeding up his kicks to avoid the South rush. He also had a 51-yard punt. South punter Hunter Kelley of Edison had 55-yard punt.

• Martinez on Orange Lutheran wide receiver Adam Connette, who dedicated the game to his ailing mother and highlighted his performance with a leap over defenders after a second-half reception: “That guy plays with a lot of heart.” Connette’s mom, Nancy, who is fighting breast cancer, attended the game.