D. Matt Dale
MaxPreps.com
NEWARK, Del. – A crowd of 11,170 flocked to Delaware Stadium to watch the 53rd DFRC Blue-Gold State All-Star Football game Saturday. The annual contest is billed as more than just a game as all proceeds go toward Delawareans with mental disabilities.
The Blue team started out strong and established the run game with fullback Vinnie Ranauto (Caravel) picking up three first downs on the game’s opening drive.
Blue was forced to punt when the drive stalled and Gold took over deep in their own territory. On Gold’s first offensive play of the game, line backer Kyle Gray (William Penn) intercepted the ball and ran it in for a 16-yard touchdown, putting Blue ahead 7-0.
Gold quarterback Nick Kmetz (Indian River) and running back Monte Murray (Sussex Central) looked to put things back on track as they drove the ball into Blue territory on the next possession. Another turnover ended their drive, however, as Jason Aviola (St. Mark’s) recovered a fumble forced by Philip Cooper (Delcastle) on the Blue 32-yard line.
Blue got right back to work running the ball as running back Sal Viscount (Salesianum) broke a 31-yard run sprung by excellent blocking from Ranauto. Great defense from Gold’s Matt Coston (Dover) kept Blue out of the end zone and kept the game at 7-0.
After Blue missed a field goal late in the first quarter, Gold quarterback Matt Campbell (Delmar) and running back Dallas Brown (Christiana) drove down the field to set up a field goal by Alex Carlton (Newark) and put Gold on the board at 7-3.
Viscount found the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown run on the next possession. Joshua Morris (Concord) split time at running back with Viscount during the 8 play 62 yard touch down drive that gave Blue a 13-3 advantage.
Gold was forced to punt on the next possession, but got the ball back as Kevaughn Davidson (Dover) intercepted a pass on the Blue 35-yard line. Campbell lead Gold on a 7 play, 35-yard drive culminating with a one-yard touchdown run by big man Jamar Beckett (Sussex Tech) to make the score 13-10 in favor of the Blue team entering the half.
Gold would take the lead (17-13) on the first possession of the second half as Beckett added another one yard touchdown run to top off a 2 play 51 yard drive that consisted of three Blue penalties.
Blue stayed committed to the run game despite little success in the third quarter. The Blue team’s defense stepped up big as Cooper recovered a fumble on the Blue 25-yard line.
Blue was forced to punt and was again saved by strong defensive play. Derrick Robinson (McKean) picked off a Gold pass to give Blue the ball on the Gold 35-yard line.
Blue looked prime to score as Ranauto and Viscount moved the ball deep into Gold territory before a fumble recovery by Joey Costa (Sussex Central) gave Gold the ball on their own one yard line.
But Cooper would strike yet again as he tackled Campbell in the end zone for a safety, making it a 17-15 game.
The safety would cost the Gold team dearly as Morris broke off a 41-yard touchdown run on the ensuing possession. After Viscount added a two point conversion, Blue owned a 23-17 lead.
During the next possession, Gold’s Alex Carlton (Newark) hit a 49-yard field goal, the longest in the history of the game. His record-breaking effort made it a 23-20 contest.
Blue drove the ball to the Gold’s 10-yard line but was unable to find the end zone on fourth and goal.
Gold took over with 1:43 remaining and Kmetz quickly advanced the ball to the Blue 45. Two incomplete passes in the end zone on third and fourth down ended the game with a Blue victory 23-20.
Viscount received the Michael K. Webb Outstanding Player Award as he accounted for 119 of Blue’s 299 rushing yards. Morris added 98 rushing yards and scored the game winning touchdown. Cooper also had an outstanding performance as he recorded a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a safety.
