Sam Houston star leads West to all-star win
01/26/2003
By RICK KRETZSCHMAR / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS – Devin Williams said he wanted to run more in the Coca-Cola High School Football All-Star Game on Saturday. Instead, Williams was asked to pass more.
Williams did that better than anyone.
Williams, an Arlington Sam Houston product, had 154 total yards in leading the West over the East, 17-7, before 500 spectators at the Birdville Fine Arts and Athletic Complex. Williams had 132 yards passing, including a 46-yard strike to Mansfield's Toney Coleman. This set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Williams that put the West up for good at 14-7 with 2:43 left in the third quarter.
Keller's Rob Park also had a good game, throwing for 116 yards, including a second-quarter 10-yard touchdown pass to Grand Prairie's Devin Lowery for the game's first points. Williams won Most Valuable Player honors, capping a big week for him. Williams orally committed to Louisiana-Lafayette on Wednesday.
Milton Hinnant / DMN
Charlie Jefferson, a wide receiver for Denton Ryan, has the ball knocked away by Tommy Devereaux (right) of Duncanville.
"Our plan was to throw because their defensive backs weren't that good," Williams said. "This is the best week of my life. I was relaxed. I wasn't trying to pick a school."
Both teams had to pass because neither ground game was effective. The West held the East to 10 rushing yards, while the West was held to 13 yards.
The West stymied the East's passing game in the second half with four interceptions. Denton's Lonzo Brice and Denton Ryan's Rashid Washington each had two interceptions.
"They were running slants and deep posts. We were ready for the deep posts each time," Brice said. "I've played with Rashid since we were in Pee Wee football. It's like family."
Duncanville's Erick Jackson and Plano East's Terrence Wheatley had interceptions for the East. This was the first time a winner was decided in this game, after last season's inaugural game ended in a 14-14 tie. Proceeds from the game benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Texas.
GAME SUMMARY
West—Devin Lowery 10 pass from Rob Park (Chris Manfredini kick)
East—Alex Woodley 3 run (Tristan Blagg kick)
West—Devin Williams 8 run (Manfredini kick)
West—Manfredini 22 FG
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: West—Devin Williams 10-22, Omarr Johnson 2-14, Kevin Lenford 2-6, Charlie Jefferson 1-5, Jordan Spence 2-4, Allan Stone 2-2, Phillip Daugherty 4-(-15), Rob Park 2-(-25). East—Vince Chukwukelu 4-11, Zach Paul 4-9, Damon Carruthers 1-8, Taylor Carter 9-3, Tommy Devereaux 1-(-1), Alex Woodley 4-(-2), Arnel Rolfe 7-(-18).
Passing: West—Devin Williams 6-11-0-132, Rob Park 10-14-0-116, Phillip Daugherty 1-9-2-12. East—Taylor Carter 7-22-3-103, Arnel Rolfe 4-10-1-51.
Receiving: West—Andrew Hansen 3-66, Toney Coleman 3-63, Devin Lowery 3-31, Anthony Alexander 2-56, Lonzo Brice 2-11, Charlie Jefferson 1-18, Jordan Spence 1-12, Victor Franco 1-8, Omarr Johnson 1-(-5). East—Tommy Devereaux 3-54, Bobby Chase 3-54, Ryan Gregg 2-18, Zach Paul 2-17, Derron Black 1-11.