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Highlands Today

FACA Football: North Cruises Past South

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Mosley tailback Triston McCathern breaks loose for a 26-yard gain in the fourth quarter of the FACA North-South Football All-Star Classic at Firemen's Field on Tuesday night.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: December 25, 2008

SEBRING - Hank Farmer turned upfield after catching a pass from quarterback A.J. Graham and was stunned that there was a clear line to the end zone.

"I slipped by the one defender and saw nobody in front of me," Farmer said. "I ran for the corner and only after I crossed the goal line did the defense catch up to me.

"That score just put an exclamation point on a really great experience here in Sebring."

Farmer's 38-yard touchdown was his second of the game and the game's final score, as the Baker County Wildcat fullback caught three passes for 60 yards in lifting the North squad to a 34-7 blowout win over the South team in the 2008 Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South Football All-Star Classic at Firemen's Field on Tuesday.

The two-touchdown performance gave Farmer the North's Most Valuable Player award.

"It's been great to come out and play against this kind of competition and see where you rank with the best in the state," Farmer said. "The best part for me has been just being one of the guys and playing along side some great football players. Years from now, I'll be able to say I caught a pass from AJ Graham."

The collection of all-stars didn't disappoint the fans in attendance, as the Top 70 football players in the state gave their high school career a proper send-off.

"This was an amazing event and we're going to do everything we can to try and give this game a permanent home here in Sebring," said Event Director Matt Gose. "The kids were excellent on and off the field. We couldn't be happier with the way the event shaped up."

Holding a slim 15-7 lead late in the third quarter, North quarterback Nico Ranieri of Orlando-Dr. Phillips faked a hand-off to Dixie County's Rodney Scott then launched a beautiful 52-yard pass to the streaking Otis Brown of Gainesville for the touchdown.

On the South's very next play, Tampa-Wharton quarterback Andrew Clifford's pass was picked off by North Marion's LaRoyal Beard, who ran it back 49-yards for the score and within a few minutes the North took a commanding 28-7 lead.

That series proved to be the turning point in the game, as the South never managed to get no closer than the North's 26-yard line the rest of the way.

Ranieri and Graham combined to go 8-for-9 for 177 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while Scott paced the ground game by carrying the ball 12 times for 71 yards and a touchdown.

The rushing attack was key in setting the tone for the North and Lynn Haven-Mosley's Triston McCathern showed that size doesn't matter in choosing an all-star.

The 5-foot-6, 162-pound tailback used his speed and strong upper body to break tackles and break runs of 15-and 26 yards in limited action.

"I've always been smaller than most of the players I'm playing against, so I have to use my speed to get past them, but I also have the ability to take a hit and not go down," said McCathern, who's being recruited by Louisville and West Georgia. "It was amazing to be able to play in this game and represent Lynn Haven.

"There is very little recognition being paid to the kids from smaller schools and I wanted to show people that we can play with the big boys."

McCarthern finished the game with six carries for 50 yards and his 26-yard run set up Farmer's final touchdown.

For Okeechobee running back Lonnie Pyror, the all-star game was a final homecoming in a sense, as he was able to play in front of his family and friends who made the trek to Sebring. Pryor saw very little action, but was effective when given the opportunity.

"It really felt like I was home here at Firemen's Field with my family and friends in the stands supporting me," said Pryor, who finished with only three carries for 13 yards. "It didn't matter how many times I touched the ball or how many yards I had. Just being able to play in this game was an honor in itself."

Pryor was courted by over 100 colleges from around the country, but in the end, the Okeechobee running back picked Florida State and will suit up for the Seminoles next fall.

"I'm really excited about what the next level has in store for me," Pryor said. "I know I have to get bigger and will be working out all summer to get stronger. I just want to go up there and help my team win and put Florida State back among the elite in college football."

After winning the opening coin toss, the North squad used a balance attack that started with a simple rushing game - 14 of the first 16 plays were runs - but turned to the air in a hurry.

After being stuffed on fourth-and-goal only inches from the end zone, the North got on the board after a bad snap by the South went out of the end zone for a safety and Farmer capped off a seven-play, 54-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown in the flat for a quick 8-0 lead.

The South's quarterback Andrew Clifford of Tampa-Wharton showed why he was chosen as a blue-chip prospect by connecting with Tampa-Chamberlain's Anthony Williams for a 41-yard touchdown strike down the right side.

Cardinal Newman's Brandon Gibbons, who is committed to the University of Michigan, hit the extra-point to cut the North's lead to just on, 8-7, but Scott bowled over the South's defensive front for a 15-yard touchdown run to give the North a 15-7 lead going into the locker room at half time.

NOTES: The ceremonial coin toss before the game was performed by Sebring's Gary Lanier, who was the last Blue Streak selected to the North-South All-Star Classic back in 1960. The former Sebring all-star was unable to play in the game due to an injury...In 1958, Sebring was well represented at the Classic. Huey Williams and Gene Tomlinson joined head coach Glen Odom on the team...Glades Central linebacker Robert Ferguson won MVP honors for the South team.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com

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