South All-Stars too much for North

COSTA MESA – The South used a trick play and a swarming defense to post a 32–21 victory in front of an estimated 5,000 at the 53rd Brea Lions Orange County North-South Prep All-Star Football Game at Orange Coast College on Friday.

The South scored on a hook and lateral and an interception return in a span of three plays in the second quarter en route to its fourth consecutive victory in the summer game.

The series now is locked, 25-25-3.

South wide receiver Sean Myers of Fountain Valley was selected the offensive player of the game while South defensive tackle Lopeti Tuipulotu of Tustin earned the award as defensive player of the game.

The game officials let the final two seconds of the game run without a play following an interception by Aliso Niguel's Kyle Paris near his end zone.

The final 20 seconds featured a fight between Tuipulotu and North offensive lineman Michael Meyer of Servite. The Santa Ana College-bound Tuipulotu recorded three of the South's seven sacks.

OCVarsity Hot Shots: O.C. All-Star Game in photos

Fountain Valley's Myers comes up big

The South also intercepted three passes, including one for a 19-yard touchdown return by Zach Hadlock of Huntington Beach in the second quarter.

Hadlock's interception return gave the South a 26-0 lead. The play also came moments after Buzzy Yokoyama of Mission Viejo scored on a 38-yard run after a pitch on the hook and lateral from Myers.

"Our offense just seemed to be clicking tonight," South coach Rick Gibson of Woodbridge said. "Both quarterbacks threw well. I thought our receivers and running backs did well. And our offensive line was huge."

Myers finished with four receptions for 74 yards and the pitch to Yokokama. South quarterbacks Chase Favreau of Edison and Ricky Bautista weren't sacked.

The South offensive line included Zach Bateman of Estancia, Jack Rulon of Huntington Beach, Connor O'Brien of San Clemente, Calvin Steyn of Capistrano Valley and Alex Kircher of Edison.

"We just started off bad. I'm glad my guys didn't put their heads down," North coach Dusan Ancich of Villa Park said.

Wide receiver Eli Pleasant led the North with a game-high eight receptions for 119 yards, including a spectacular leaping 37-yard reception in the fourth quarter. The catch led to a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Blair Boyce of Villa Park with 2:28 left in the game.

Pleasant added the 2-point conversion to cap the scoring.

North safety Alex Bernstein of Yorba Linda finished with a game-high 10 tackles, including several strong hits on special teams.

The South took advantage of a short field to score on its opening possession. Myers caught a 13-yard touchdown pass in heavy coverage from Favreau to cap a seven-play, 42-yard drive with 8:01 left in the first quarter.

The South scored on its third possession, again on a short march. Favreau used a play-action fake to set up an 8-yard touchdown pass to his Edison teammate, Bryce Campbell, to punctuate a 54-yard drive on the first play of the second quarter.

Myers sparked the drive with a 46-yard reception on third-down from Favreau that moved the South to the North 8 on the final play of the first period.

The South then grabbed control of the game with a pair of scoring plays in rapid succession. The South scored first on the play between Myers and Yokoyama. On the first-down play, Myers made a 14-yard reception from Bautista at the North's 38. Myers then pitched the ball to Yokoyama, who sprinted for the touchdown with 10:32 left in the second quarter.

On the North's second play on its ensuing drive, Hadlock returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown and a 26-0 lead.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com