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Highlands Today

Sebring duo pivotal in Central victory

Ryan Lavner, Highlands Today

Central tailback Daniel Burnett (Sebring) races 43 yards after making a reception that helped set up a 3-yard touchdown run.

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By RYAN LAVNER

Highlands Today

Published: December 14, 2009

SEBRING - Daniel Burnett wanted one final chance to throw on a Sebring helmet. Tevin Toney wanted to prove he could compete against the area's best.

Together, the Blue Streaks teammates played arguably the biggest roles in helping their all-star team reclaim regional bragging rights.

Burnett rushed for a short touchdown that proved to be the winning score, Toney claimed defensive MVP honors and the Central team hung on for a 20-18 victory in the seniors-only South-Central All-Star Football Classic on Saturday night at Firemen's Field.

"This was a lot of fun," Central coach Andy Bonjokian said. "It's great when you're playing with guys that love to play the game."

Bonjokian, the head coach at Avon Park, was drenched with ice water when this one was over, a refreshing thank-you gift from the 39 Central players - and 16 Highlands County athletes - who suited up in the 11th annual event.

"Win or lose this game," Bonjokian said, "these kids are ending their careers on a good note, playing with a bunch of people who want to play football and are good at playing football."

The Central team - comprised of players from Avon Park, Bartow, Frostproof, Haines City, Hardee, Lake Placid, Lake Wales, Mulberry and Sebring - held a 20-12 lead entering the fourth quarter. But South's Brandon Baker (North Port) corralled an improbable 54-yard pass for a touchdown with 25.9 seconds remaining, giving the South team a chance to force overtime.

Central's defense stiffened on the two-point conversion attempt, however, flushing quarterback Kyle Midgett out of the pocket and watching as his pass sailed wide.

"With these games you never know," Bonjokian said. "They go after it so hard."

Several Highlands County players received big minutes Saturday, particularly Burnett, who rushed for 24 yards on four carries and had a crucial 43-yard reception that set up his lone touchdown.

"It's good, I love playing in this," said Burnett, who led the Blue Streaks to a 7-3 record this season. "You always get chill bumps playing against some of the best people in the area."

Sebring defensive end Gus Williams got the Central team on the scoreboard in a most unlikely way, sacking Midgett in the end zone for a first-quarter safety. Two minutes later, it scored again. On fourth-and-13, Frostproof's Eddie Smith took a reverse from Lake Placid's Caleb Jones for a 25-yard touchdown, giving the Central team an 8-0 lead after the point-after was blocked.

The two teams traded scores to close out the second quarter, with Midgett throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Charlotte High teammate Joseph DeGaeta, and Central quarterback David Allen (Winter Haven) also plunging in from 2 yards out with 4:53 left in the half.

But with less than a minute to play, Midgett again found DeGaeta for a touchdown, when he slipped through the hands of Sebring cornerback Michael Grimes on his way to a 35-yard score, trimming Central's lead to 14-12 at halftime.

Then, Toney and the rest of the Central defense clamped down.

And Burnett provided a signature moment in his final game.

After forcing consecutive three-and-outs, the Central team began rolling when Burnett took a screen pass 43 yards, weaving through the defense and inside the 5-yard line. He then charged in from 3 yards out, giving the Central team a 20-12 advantage.

"I knew I had to get one in," Burnett said, smiling. "It's the No. 1 thing on your list as a running back. I couldn't have scripted it any better."

Given one final chance with 1:17 left in the fourth quarter, Midgett was sacked twice - by Toney and Lake Placid's Taylor Price.

But Baker made a spectacular catch, hauling in a deflected pass, and raced 54 yards for a touchdown.

It didn't matter. Toney and the rest of the defense made sure the lead held up.

"I just wanted to prove that I can work hard for this," said Toney, who trained all week with the Central team at Firemen's Field - despite having basketball practice and two games this week.

"It feels good that they selected me as Central defensive MVP because of all the good players who are surrounding me. These are the best of the best."

Ryan Lavner can be reached at 863-386-5841 or rlavner@highlandstoday.com

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