By Frank Steele
MaxPreps.com
PEORIA, Ill. – On a beautiful night in late July, young men from all over the state of Illinois got to remind us why they were selected to dazzle fans for one last time on the football field.
Former Normal Community High School linebacker Austin Davis grabbed his second interception of the game late in the fourth quarter for the East in the 34th annual Shrine All-Star Game, and thought the contest was over.
Davis quickly found out that in football, the game can change in an instant as the West went on to score a 21-20 victory in overtime at Peoria Stadium Saturday night.
With score tied at 14, Davis intercepted West quarterback Austin Fisher with 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter and returned it inside the 50.
“Man, I thought we were going to win for sure,” Davis told Daniel Makarewicz of the Bloomington Pantagraph.
The East had a chance to kick a field goal late in regulation to win it. However, Matt Casula missed a 39-yard attempt to the left with three seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
The West needed three plays to take a lead in OT as Fisher found Brad Herman for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Zach Lozier converted the extra point to put West up 21-14.
On the ensuing possession, East running back Johnny Barsellino caught a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth down from John Wienke, pulling his team to within 21-20.
Going for the win, the East gave the ball to running back Caleb Pratt on a sweep. Pratt was able to find a slight hole, but two defenders immediately closed it and stopped him short of the end zone.
East offensive lineman Justin Blevins, a Lexington grad, was part of a group that did not allow a quarterback sack. East defensive end Jonathan McCombs of Mahomet-Seymour helped the defense limit the West to 85 rushing yards.
Jon Janus, who rushed for 53 yards, and Brad Herman, who recorded an interception, were named the offensive and defensive most valuable players for the West.
Barsellino was named offensive MVP for East after scoring two touchdowns. Willie Hayes earned defensive MVP honors.
West - 7 - 0 - 0 - 7 - 7 ---- 21
East - 0 - 0 - 7 - 7 - 6 ---- 20
W - Janus 4-yard run (Lozier kick)
E - Borsellino 19-yard pass from Lunt (Casula kick)
W - Janus 15-yard run (Lozier kick)
E - Stickney 54-yard pass from Lunt (Casula kick)
W - Herman 5-yard pass from Fisher (Lozier kick)
E - Borsellino 5-yard pass from Wienke (run failed)
Individual Statistics
Rushing - East: Taylor 5-22, Pratt 6-18, Stanley 2-5, Kirksey 3-13, Wienke 1-(-1), Casula 1-2, Lunt 1-(-9); West: Janus 15-53, O'Brien 2-3, Kaiser 10-18, Fisher 6-5. Michaletti 4-6, Daughenbaugh 4-0.
Receiving - East: Pecord 2-7, Borsellino 11-46. Stickney 7-112, McCarty 2-12; West: Chatman 2-64, Zerwas 1-2, Mosher 1-9, Milroy 1-9, Janus 1-20, Langdon 1-6, Herman 1-5.
