South All-Stars Prevail On 20-Yard Field Goal
By Space Coast Daily // January 22, 2013
Brush's Kick Breaks Scoreless Tie
BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA –They saved the best for last.
Eighty of the top prep football seniors gathered at Astronaut High School on Jan. 12 for the Brevard County Prep Football All-Star Game and it was a battle all the way to the end with the South ultimately winning 3-0 on a fourth-quarter field goal by Melbourne’s Pat Brush.
Both sides had chances to score throughout, but defense was the order of the day for each of the All-Star teams.
In the second quarter a 42-yard reception by Viera’s Jalen Jackson put the North deep in South territory, but the drive stalled on 4th and 2 at the South’s 14-yard line with 1:33 left in the first half.
The North appeared to be driving again in the third quarter when the South’s Ryan Reimer of Florida Air Academy sacked North quarterback Joe Brown of Rockledge ending another scoring threat.
Brown was pressed into service as North quarterback by North All-Stars coach Andy Price of Titusville because of injuries that prevented Cocoa Beach’s David Dessent and Rockledge’s Alex Adler from playing in the All-Star game.
“It meant a lot to be picked to play in this game,” Brown said. “My mom and dad are here tonight and hopefully I will be seen by some of the college scouts out here tonight.”
Brown said he looks forward to continuing his career at the next level, possibly at Jacksonville University.
The South came out determined to score in the fourth quarter and Roger Bush of Bayside ripped off a 38-yard run to advance to the North’s 27-yard line with 9:56 left to play before being tackled by the North’s Aundrey Strong of Rockledge.
South quarterback Caleb Alves of Palm Bay ran for a first down by reversing direction and then a late hit penalty put the South at the North 8-yard line.
A loss on third down left the South with only one option and that was to let Brush try a 20-yard field goal. His kick split the uprights with 7:21 remaining and gave the South a 3-0 lead.
“I didn’t feel very much pressure at all to make the kick,” Brush said. “lt was pretty fun to play in this game. I’m looking to possibly playing in college.”
South running back Khalil Owens said he was honored to be chosen to play in the game and recalled playing in the Brevard County Youth Football and Cheerleading Association All-Star Game before starting his prep career.
“It certainly a much faster game at this level,” Owens said. “And it’s real big to be able to play one more game for my high school coach.”
Owens played for South All-Stars head coach Ajay Ulmer at Heritage.
Merritt Island nose guard Caleb Bullard said he learned over Christmas break that he would be playing for the North and said he wanted to make the most of the opportunity.
“”I came here to open some eyes,” he said. “I hoping some college wants to take a chance on a 190-pound nose guard like me.”
With seconds left in the game, the North tried one last drive to put points on the board, but was again stopped by the South defense at midfield and the game ended in a 3-0 South win.
It was only the third victory by a South All-Stars team in the 16-year history of the annual game.
“I was very proud of our kids,’ South coach Ulmer said. “We kept our composure and made plays when we had to. It was a good game and a great defensive battle.”
