CattouseFan
12-08-2005, 11:33 AM
Defense, special teams and an offensive performance by one of the area's top defenders all aided the South in its quest to defeat the North on Wednesday night in the 17th annual John Carrigan Rotary South All-Star Football Classic.
The South defeated the North 26-12 in a game for Lee County seniors that drew at least 4,000 fans and about a dozen college football coaches and recruiters to Sam Sirianni Field at Fort Myers High School.
Jeff Banks, primarily a defensive lineman for Fort Myers during the regular season, played fullback Wednesday for the South team that also included players from Bishop Verot, Cypress Lake, Dunbar, Estero, Lehigh and South Fort Myers.
"It was just fun," Banks said. "We all just came together. That's what it's all about."
John Carrigan, the game's founder, presented Banks with the South Most Valuable Player award after he rushed for 88 yards on 15 carries, including a 10-yard touchdown.
Banks also scored on a 45-yard kickoff return with 10:51 remaining for a 26-6 lead.
"I love it, man," said Banks, who had the words "Manor Boy" printed on the back of his jersey as a tribute to his childhood neighborhood, Pine Manor.
"I'm proud of myself. I did well, and my team did well."
North Fort Myers coach James Iandoli used the word proud in describing the North team's MVP: North Fort Myers defensive lineman Roberto Perera.
Perera led the North team, comprised of seniors from Ida Baker, Cape Coral, Evangelical Christian School, Mariner, North Fort Myers and Riverdale, with double digits in tackles.
Perera also caused a fumble, which Mike Rubinski of Ida Baker recovered.
"The quarterback didn't even know I was coming," Perera said.
Perera and Banks each said they hoped their awards would help them in the recruiting process. Banks has schools like Troy State and Florida Atlantic University looking at him.
Perera, who has a 4.02 grade point average, is considering several Ivy League schools.
"Hopefully, it will put my name out there," Perera said. "It's the best way to leave an all-star game."
Said Iandoli: "We're going to use this tape. Hopefully, this will work to his advantage.
"He played like he did for us. He had a good year. He's been consistent. I'm proud of him."
The North team took a 6-3 lead with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter after a 79-yard touchdown run by Riverdale running back and University of Florida recruit Chevon Walker.
But the South limited Walker to just 21 more yards on six more carries the rest of the game.
That South defense and special teams actually outscored its own offense 20-6.
That's because the South scored twice on safeties — each time on North punt attempts, when the snaps sailed over the punter's head and into the end zone.
Cypress Lake kicker Tyler Findley scored on a 42-yard field goal.
Dunbar cornerback Calvin Hicks returned an interception 35 yards for a score and an 11-6 lead with 6:42 remaining in the third quarter.
Then, on the ensuing kickoff, Estero's Max McDonald nailed Walker on a kickoff return. Quantavis Jackson of Cypress Lake recovered the fumble, and the recovery led to the 10-yard rushing touchdown by Banks and a 17-6 lead with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter.
Throw in the punt return by Banks, and that's 20 points from defense and special teams.
North scored its final points on a 22-yard pass from North Fort Myers quarterback Alvin Kelty to Cape Coral's Nate Allen.
The South defeated the North 26-12 in a game for Lee County seniors that drew at least 4,000 fans and about a dozen college football coaches and recruiters to Sam Sirianni Field at Fort Myers High School.
Jeff Banks, primarily a defensive lineman for Fort Myers during the regular season, played fullback Wednesday for the South team that also included players from Bishop Verot, Cypress Lake, Dunbar, Estero, Lehigh and South Fort Myers.
"It was just fun," Banks said. "We all just came together. That's what it's all about."
John Carrigan, the game's founder, presented Banks with the South Most Valuable Player award after he rushed for 88 yards on 15 carries, including a 10-yard touchdown.
Banks also scored on a 45-yard kickoff return with 10:51 remaining for a 26-6 lead.
"I love it, man," said Banks, who had the words "Manor Boy" printed on the back of his jersey as a tribute to his childhood neighborhood, Pine Manor.
"I'm proud of myself. I did well, and my team did well."
North Fort Myers coach James Iandoli used the word proud in describing the North team's MVP: North Fort Myers defensive lineman Roberto Perera.
Perera led the North team, comprised of seniors from Ida Baker, Cape Coral, Evangelical Christian School, Mariner, North Fort Myers and Riverdale, with double digits in tackles.
Perera also caused a fumble, which Mike Rubinski of Ida Baker recovered.
"The quarterback didn't even know I was coming," Perera said.
Perera and Banks each said they hoped their awards would help them in the recruiting process. Banks has schools like Troy State and Florida Atlantic University looking at him.
Perera, who has a 4.02 grade point average, is considering several Ivy League schools.
"Hopefully, it will put my name out there," Perera said. "It's the best way to leave an all-star game."
Said Iandoli: "We're going to use this tape. Hopefully, this will work to his advantage.
"He played like he did for us. He had a good year. He's been consistent. I'm proud of him."
The North team took a 6-3 lead with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter after a 79-yard touchdown run by Riverdale running back and University of Florida recruit Chevon Walker.
But the South limited Walker to just 21 more yards on six more carries the rest of the game.
That South defense and special teams actually outscored its own offense 20-6.
That's because the South scored twice on safeties — each time on North punt attempts, when the snaps sailed over the punter's head and into the end zone.
Cypress Lake kicker Tyler Findley scored on a 42-yard field goal.
Dunbar cornerback Calvin Hicks returned an interception 35 yards for a score and an 11-6 lead with 6:42 remaining in the third quarter.
Then, on the ensuing kickoff, Estero's Max McDonald nailed Walker on a kickoff return. Quantavis Jackson of Cypress Lake recovered the fumble, and the recovery led to the 10-yard rushing touchdown by Banks and a 17-6 lead with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter.
Throw in the punt return by Banks, and that's 20 points from defense and special teams.
North scored its final points on a 22-yard pass from North Fort Myers quarterback Alvin Kelty to Cape Coral's Nate Allen.