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| Down Through the Years...A History
Of The Ken Lantzy All-Star Football Game. |
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| 1971 - 1979 | 1980
- 1989 | 1990 - 1999 | 2000 - 2009
| 2010 - Present |
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1971
It was over 39 years ago that a young, talented member of the Cambria
Heights High School Football Squad received an injury that would
confine him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. It was a typical
late October evening in 1970 when this injury took place. It’s victim
was Ken Lantzy, for who this All-Star Classic is named.
After his injury, Ken’s family was faced with extremely large medical
bills and costs of hospital care. It was, however, at this time the
Cambria Area Football Coaches Association (CAFCA) stepped in to help.
The idea of a benefit football game seemed the most logical. Little
did the coaches realize this game would be played 35 times.
In the beginning this game was two fold. First to help defer the
medical bills facing the Lantzy family, and secondly to promote high
school football in our area. Thus, a trust fund was established and
all proceeds from this game would go into this fond. The game would
feature an All-Star Team from each division of the coaches association.
Outstanding high school athletes were chosen from all schools and
the first game was set for August 16,1971.
A crowd of nearly 5,000 attended the initial contest. These fans
saw the North walk away with the contest, winning easily 30-0. Al
Pacifico’s (Penn Cambria) Yankees out gained Mike Yewcic’s (Conemaugh
Valley) Rebels 283-55 in Total Yardage. The North’s outstanding player’s
were Paul Swartz (Richland) and Jude Basile (Forest Hills) the South
tabbed Lester Reitz (Bishop McCort) and Rich Zepka (Windber) as outstanding |
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| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
16 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
|
30 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
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1972
On August 5, 1972 the area high school football civil war was fought
again. Approximately 6,500 fans turned out to witness the South even
the series with a 24-6 crushing of the North. The North opened the
scoring in the first stanza when Tom Taormina (Richland) blocked
a punt and George Nagel (Cambria Heights) pounced on the pigskin
in the end zone. Head coach Ron Carnicella (Johnstown) southern stars
exploded for 18 fourth quarter points. Highlighted by Dave Bruce’s
(Conemaugh Twp.) 44 yard touchdown scamper. Emil Demarco (Richland)
was the north’s mentor and suffered only on the scoreboard as the
south’s lead on total yardage was a slim 34 yards 260-226. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
6 |
18 |
|
24 |
|
| North |
|
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
6 |
|
| |
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1973
On Saturday June 9,1973 two major changes had occurred in the coaches’
sponsored benefit game. The first being the game date. The coaches
decided the game be held in June to aid with conflicts that arise
in August as they prepare to open camps at their respective schools.
The second difference was that the Easter Seal Society would receive
the benefits and proceeds from the game. However the Ken Lantzy name
was retained as the game’s title.
As the third contest opened it became apparent that the South would
be heavily favored. Joe Badaczewski, (Conemaugh Twp.) the South’s
head coach, had the option of perhaps the best trio of quarterbacks
to ever play in this contest. Dave Rizzo (Windber), Ron Hosteller
(Conemaugh Twp.) and Tom Yewcic (Conemaugh Valley) racked over 300
yards by air to lead the South to a 21-0 white- washing of the North.
Jeff Bruce (Conemaugh Twp.) scored twice as the South amassed almost
400 total offensive yards while the Chuck Sponsky’s (Forest Hills)
North squad was held to less than 100. |
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| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
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| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
|
21 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
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1974
June 10,1974, year number four, and the song “The South’s Gonna Do
It Again,” proved correct as the Ron Carnicella (Johnstown) led Southerners
defeated Chuck Gironda’s (Northern Bedford) Yankees 20-12. Nearly
3,000 fans saw a Southern aerial display explode for 20 first quarter
points. Led by signal callers Jack Buchan (Johnstown), Doug Hostetler
(Conemaugh Twp.), Kevin Berkey (Windber) and receivers Tony Ramirez
(Johnstown), Mike Adams (Johnstown) and Benny McDay (Johnstown) the
South traveled 231 yards through the air. The North led by Fred Glascow
(Northern Bedford) couldn’t get their running game going as they
were checked by a stingy South defense for only 32 yards rushing. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
14 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
20 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
|
12 |
|
| |
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1975
On June 7, 1975 the Cambria Area football coaches again gathered
the best area high school football talent and assembled here at Windber
Stadium. As part of the halftime activities the president of the
Cambria Area Football Coaches Association presented Ken Lantzy with
one of the gameballs. The game pitted the young head coach for the
North against a seasoned veteran of many campaigns. Tom Krisko (Portage)
was the North’s mentor & Joe Flori (Windber) was at the helm of the
South squad. More than 2,000 fans saw a defensive struggle as the
South scored a slim 7-6 victory. With the South leading 7-0 early
in the fourth period, the North pulled to within one point when Brian
Clement (Forest Hills) brilliantly returned a punt 60 yards for a
touchdown.
The North was then faced with the option of going for the 2 point
conversion and the victory or playing merely for the tie. Krisko’s
crew gambled and lost as the South’s defense rose to protect the
victory. |
| |
| Team |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
7 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
6 |
|
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1976
June 4, 1976 brought yet another change to the Ken Lantzy charity
game as this was the first and only contest that was played on a
Friday night. The South, coached by Pat Sherlock (Westmont) came
away with a 20-0 victory over the North. Chuck Gironda (Northern
Bedford) was the head coach of the North.
Artrell Hawkins (Johnstown) scored all 3 Southern ID’s on carries
of 3, 9, and 4 yards. The more than 3,800 fans on hand saw the North
lead in first downs, 10-7, and net rushing yardage, 103-94, but lose
on the scoreboard. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| South |
|
13 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
20 |
|
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1977
For seven straight years the Southern Alleghenies brought the best
area school football talent to the Windber Stadium to play for charity.
On June 11, 1977 Fran Zima (Bishop McCort) led 61 Yankees on to the
green surface while Don Bailey (Forest Hills) trotted out on 37 Confederate
representatives. The number of players, however, had no bearing on
the outcome of the contest as the North won a squeaker 7-0. Mike
Chobany (Portage) scored the games only touchdown & Mike Waksmunski
(Cambria Heights) converted the only PAT attempt. Chobany’s T.D.
was set up by a Brent Bowser (Northern Bedford) interception. The
South came within inches of scoring in the third quarter as Chip
Moore (Central) stopped Doug Stilwell (Indiana) just shy of pay dirt.
The South led in all offensive categories but the North prevailed
on the scoreboard. |
| |
| Team |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
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1978
On June 10,1978 George Pasierb (Shade) led the South to a 12-0 victory
over the Jim Gardner (Bellwood-Antis) directed Northerners. This
game also introduced another change in the sponsorship of the contest
as the Johnstown Area Shrine Club gratefully accepted all proceeds
for the Shriner’s hospitals and burns centers. More than 2,500 fans
saw Bill Elke’s (Windber) fumble recovery set up the first score
for the South. Dave Bahoric (Bishop McCort) capped a 33 yard scoring
drive by reaching pay dirt on the two yard plunge in the first period.
Brian Retry (Johnstown) scored as time expired to close out the game’s
scoring. |
| |
| Team |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
12 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
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1979
On June 3, 1979 coach Bernie McQuown (Indiana) led his Southerners
past Steve Magulick (Northern Cambria) and the North by a 13-6 margin.
Pat McQuaide (Indiana) scored two touchdowns, but Roger Shepko (Windber)
was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player. Shepko gained 47 yards
of the first Southern scoring drive which covered 68 yards. Mark
Hull (Forest Hills) almost pulled off a miracle finish midway through
the fourth period. While at the helm, Hull went five for five in
passing the North 67 yards for their only score. Noted for outstanding
play on the defensive side was Robbie Miller (Bellwood). Miller played
excellent pass coverage and protected his corner all night long.
Net yardage in the contest was nearly even 145-131, the South gaining
the advantage. |
| |
| Team |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
6 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
13 |
|
| |
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1980
On the beautiful June 7,1980, a young rider from the Patton, Pennsylvania
area provided the answer to the question, Ken Who? (Ken Vescovi,
Cambria Heights), a six foot-two inch tight end nearly single handedly
provided the offensive punch that led the North to its third victory
in this ten year classic. Vescovi scored 17 of his team’s 23 points
in leading the North to a 23-20 victory. The North jumped out to
a quick 13 point lead in the first half. A stingy Yankee defense,
led by Tom Carney (Bishop Carroll), held the Southern offense in
check until late in the second stanza.
In the second half, Dennis Stahl (Meyersdale), the Rebels’ head coach
led the South on a come-back trail. With eight minutes of the third
period remaining, the South took the lead for the first time 14-13.
However that was short-lived as Vescovi booted a 27 yard field goal
later in the period that put Steve Magulick’s (Northern Cambria)
Northern squad in front to stay. This game proved to be the most
explosive from the offensive and point productive side of any of
the previous games. With Vescovi scoring two touchdowns, kicking
a 27 yard three pointer, and kicking two PATS, he took the MVP trophy
back to Patton. Carney carried away the defensive award.
Other highlights of this game are numerous. Here are a few: Guy Finelli
(Altoona) blocking Mike O’Ship’s (Shade) punt in the second quarter;
Rich Price (Johnstown) with an 87 yard punt return; the Rich Dahoda
(Laurel Valley) and Kevin Zwick (Conemaugh Township) air show; and
finally the outstanding play of quarterback’s Scott Borsuk (Johnstown)
and Brian D’Andrea (Northern Cambria). |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
0 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
|
20 |
|
| North |
|
6 |
7 |
3 |
7 |
|
23 |
|
| |
|
1981
A superior defensive effort in the second half, lifted the North
squad to a 10-7 victory over the South in the 11th annual Ken Lantzy
All-Star game Saturday, June 6,1981. The large crowd saw the top-heavy
with running backs South team roll tip 91 yards in offense and a
7-0 first half lead. All but nine of that came on the ground. In
the second half, North Star coach Art Younkin’s club had just 20
offensive yards, all of it on the ground. The Dan Bailey-Vie Campaign
coached North team battled back from a half-time deficit with an
unusually smooth passing attack for an all-star game. Hollidaysburg
quarterback Dave Donaldson keyed the come-back throwing for 58 yards
in the second half and a key two-point conversion that iced the game.
The South squad never crossed mid-field in the second half, as runners
like Laurel Valley’s Denny Henderson, Conemaugh Valley’s Randy Toth,
Jim Miller of North Star and Westmont’s Mike Chabon were bottled
up. Only M.C. Williams of Indiana was able to solve the South’s defensive
puzzle, leading all ground gainers with 76 yards. The teams traded
the ball twice at the start, before the North lined up for field
goal attempt that was blocked by Larry Poor of Everett. Younkin’s
team took over, but was forced to punt. Bill Maloney of Hollidaysburg
fumbled the kick, and Conemaugh Township’s Jim Garlesky recovered
at the North 35-yard line.
The losers continued to be impressive offensively before the half,
as Williams broke the longest play of the game, a cutback run of
42 yards. He got three more on the next play, but two incomplete
passes ended the threat. In the second half, the North dominated
the proceedings. They took the opening kickoff and registered two
first downs before punting it away. That’s when the North defense
took over, allowing just 16 yards and a first down on five running
plays. On its next possession, the South managed only six yards before
punting to the North 26-yard line. That’s where the winners started
their clinching drive.
Fedore had 40 yards rushing for the winners, with Layo adding 36.
Overall, Donaldson was five of 10 passing, with one interception.
A trio of South quarterbacks were only able to complete one pass,
that in the first half. Besides Williams’ game high rushing total,
North Star’s Miller finished with 20 yards and Toth 10. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
10 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
|
| |
|
1982
Parlaying the running of Bishop McCort’s Dave Seidel and an alert
defense that recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass, the South
ended a two-game Ken Lantzy All-Star losing streak with a 17-6 conquest
of the North June 7 in Windber Stadium.
The game had its turning point when it was postponed for two nights
from a Saturday to a Monday night. The favored North squad was stripped
of the Forest Hills players. The Rangers were gathering Sheepskins
at graduation ceremonies instead of lugging leather at Windber Stadium.
The South, which did not lose the ball on a fumble or interception,
nursed a 7-6 lead at halftime. Seidel, who led the Rebels with 45
yards rushing in 11 carries, scored in the third period to give the
winners some insurance points.
Coach George Pasierb’s winners scored first when Greater Johnstown’s
Brian Wright latched on to a 22-yard payoff pass from Windber’s John
Sanow. The North responded with an 84-yard, 15 play march. It was
capped by a nine-yard touchdown toss from Northern Cambria’s Brian
Moriconi to Blacklick Valley’s Bob Mallin.
Everett’s Tom Waltman booted a 22-yard field goal on the first play
of the last chapter. It was set up when the South’s Tim Simanski
of Westmont Hilltop recovered a fumble from quarterback George Moore
of Glendale. The South had a 130-96 margin in net yards rushing.
The losers of coach Don Bailey, who had a 13-9 edge in first downs,
completed 7 of 15 passes for 72 yards compared with three of seven
for 54 yards for the winners. Joe Bonatesta of Northern Cambria led
the losers with 54 yards rushing in 9 carries. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
6 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
7 |
10 |
0 |
|
17 |
|
| |
|
1983
The 13th annual Ken Lantzy Southern Alleghenies Coaches Association
North-South Classic at Windber Stadium added another letter to the
A, B Cs of Football-D for defense.
The North scored with 3:23 left in the second period for the lone
touchdown and only the third scoring opportunity in the game to carve
a 7-0 victory. It was win No. 3 in four coaching stints for Don Bailey
of Forest Hills in the annual Ken Lantzy Classic.
There were exchanges of three fumbles that set the stage for the
game’s only score.
Portage’s Frank Jubura recovered a South bobble on the losers eight.
Four downs later, the South grudgingly yielded the six-pointer when
Hollidaysburg’s Terry McCready bulled over from the one. Tom Maloskey
converted.
The defense dominated the contest and this was evidenced in the passing
stats. The winners’ quarterbacks, Bill Corrente of Portage and John
Chicoli of Forest Hills connected with eight passes in a combined
effort of 17 tosses. They gained 90 yards. Not much but 11 more than
the fumble-prone losers.
The South drove to the North 16 but a combination of stout Yankee
defense and the lock spragged the scoring effort of coach Shandor’s
Rebels. The game ended as the threat died.
With the accent on the passing game this year, the 1983 score could
become the North- Squad game’s last shutout for a long time to come...
Kevin Donahue of Conemaugh Township was selected the Outstanding
Defensive Player, Phil White of Forest Hills was voted top on offense. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
|
1984
Ligonier Valley’s Chris Keck, a6-4 quarterback at Dartmoth last winner
was the standout on offense for the South in a 24-7 conquest of the
North in the 1984 Ken Lantzy Finest Forty All Star Game at Windber
Stadium. Eric Craig of Indiana, who impressed with his linebacking
and punting for the North, was the defensive whiz for the losers.
Both received a $500 scholarship grant.
Keck completed 16 of 25 passes for 159 yards in the game that drew
an estimated 2500 fans. The North was limited to a net gain of 16
yards in 17 thrusts at the line. The South had a 17-9 margin in first
downs. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
6 |
8 |
0 |
10 |
|
24 |
|
| North |
|
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
|
| |
|
1985
For the first time in 15 years, the Ken Lantzy Finest Forty North-South
Game will be held at The Point Stadium.
More than a shift from Windber Stadium, the game has a few other
new features. In addition to each player receiving a wrist watch,
the top offensive and defensive player from both the North and South
squads will receive a $500 scholastic grant to be used to defray
the cost of a college education.
The idea for the game started 14 years ago when Ken Lantzy, A Cambria
Heights student was injured while playing against Windber. The North
proved to be the better “Mudders” on June 15, 1985, defeating the
South 1 0-0 at the Point Stadium.
The Yankees’ success in the 15th annual classic snapped a two-game
losing streak and reduced the South’s 9 lead to 9-6.
North coach John Jacoby of Conemaugh Valley and his staff “made all
the right moves” in the second half after the teams had slogged heir
way to a scoreless tie after two periods. The North grabbed a 2-0
lead less than five minutes after the second-half kickoff when Rebels’
quarterback Mike Gress was a sack victim in the end zone.
A fumble recovery set up the game’s only touchdown in the fourth
quarter. Marching from their own 28, the winners, behind the passing
of quarterback Cubby Davis of Hollidaysburg, moved to the South 36.
A running play and a face-mask fine against the losers put the football
at the 16. Davis then fired a 16-yard TD pass to Steve Miller of
Bellwood-Antis. A two-point pass-Davis to tight-end Les Sheesley
of Blaclick Valley-set the final score.
Despite the rain, nearly 4,000 fans turned out for the classic, expecting
to be treated to a traditional hard-hitting game. They were not disappointed. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
|
10 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
|
1986
Quarterback Chris Fusco of Altoona Area High School lobbed a one-yard
touchdown pass to tight-end Jeff Polites of Cambria Heights with
just 11 seconds left, giving the North a 21-17 victory in the 15th
annual Ken Lantzy, Finest 40 All-Star Football Game before a record
4,400 people June 14,1986 at the Point Stadium.
The deciding touchdown came less than six minutes after the underdog
South appeared to have pulled off an upset when Greater Johnstown’s
Dave Dabbs recovered a North fumble at the losers’ seven, snuffing
out a 66-yard drive with 6:05 left in the game and the South sporting
a 17-14 advantage.
Trailing 14-3 at halftime, the South used a 35-yard return of an
interception by Ferndale’s Alan Eisenhuth to ignite their comeback
effort. Eisenhuth’s theft gave the South a first down at their own
41 and at the same time stopped a North drive that had arrived at
the South’s 31.
Fourteen plays later, Vo-Tech quarterback Brian Bowser tossed a three-yard
touchdown pass to Ligonier Valley speedster Michael Anthony. Bowser
misfired on an attempt for a two-point pass.
A fourth-quarter fumble recovery by Rick Rager of Conemaugh Township
set up the South’s go-ahead touchdown. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
14 |
0 |
7 |
|
21 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
3 |
6 |
8 |
|
17 |
|
| |
|
1987
The 17th edition of the Ken Lantzy All-Star Football Game was another
victory for the North- its third in a row-and it came about in an
unusual way.
The North defeated the South, 25-13, because the team with the most-accurate
passer couldn’t provide enough protection. The North squad, behind
quarterback Rick Hoover, pulled a victory out of the hat when it
completed only 5 of 17 passes. Two of those bombs, though, were touchdown
passes of 43 and 56 yards. The victory was the eighth in the series
for the North. The South still holds a narrow 9-8 all-time lead.
Part of the reason for the North’s victory in 1987 was the North’s
all-star noseguard Deran Smith, a Forest Hills graduate. Smith led
an intense defensive rush against the South and returned a fumble
15 yards for the North’s first touchdown.
Smith and another Forest Hills product, Ken Matlin, were named the
most-valuable players for the North. The MVPs on the North’s offensive
squad were Hoover, of Altoona, and tight end Scott Zellem of Indiana
Area. For the South, the MVP selections were Jim Arnold of Chestnut
Fidge and Ryan Jones of Greater Johnstown on the defense and Paul
Romanchok of Windber and Bill Snyder of Somerset, offense. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
6 |
0 |
12 |
7 |
|
25 |
|
| South |
|
7 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
13 |
|
| |
|
1988
All through the week of practice, players and coaches alike wondered
aloud what might happen if Greater Johnstown’s speedy James Mathews
found some daylight on a kickoff return for the South. The questions
were answered in the second quarter of the 18th Ken Lantzy Finest
40 All-Star Game when Mathews broke loose on an 85-yard kickoff return,
just 17 seconds after the North had grabbed a 3-0 lead on Dave Burmeister’s
34-yard Mathews’s brilliant return triggered a 14-3 victory for the
South, ending a three-year domination by the North.
Burmeister, a standout at Glendale Area, booted his field goal after
he had caught a 50-yard pass from Blairsville quarterback Paul Emanuel.
The South tacked on another TD in the third period when Richland’s
Sean Callihan scored on a one-yard dive and Jack Frazier of United
pulled off a surprise when as a holder on the PAT attempt, he picked
up the ball and ran for the two extra points. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
|
14 |
|
| |
|
1989
It was a case of better late than never in the 19th Ken Lantzy Finest
40 All-Star Game held June 18 at the Point Stadium. Despite being
postponed 24 hours because of a week of rain and aBonJovi rock concert
that turned the Point into a sea of mud, the Classic attracted an
estimated 4,400 persons. And no one left disappointed.
South coach Jerry Davich of Greater Johnstown never doubted that
this team could put the ball in the air and after three quarters,
neither did North coach John Hayes of Bellwood-Antis.
South quarterbacks Donnie Fyfe of Chestnut Ridge and Alex Roebuck
of Greater Johnstown threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns as
the winners built up a 28-0 lead before being forced to stave off
a late North comeback in a 28-12 victory.
Fyfe threw a pair of TD passes of six and 45 yards to Greater Johnstown’s
Chuck Wyatt. Roebuck connected on a 10-yard scoring aerial to Richland’s
talented receiver, Kevin D’Ambrosia. Richard Shockey of Meyersdale
accounted for the other South touchdown on a one-yard run.
Hayes went to his powerful Blue Devil passing combination of quarterback
Todd Hirt to wide-receiver Jason Lamertina to launch the North comeback
attempt. Hirt connected on 10 of 19 passes in the final quarter,
including TD tosses of 39 and 15 yards to Lamertina, but it was too
little, too late.
Doug Miller of Somerset Area was the defensive standout, making nine
tackles and intercepting one pass. Tom Smith of Bishop McCort chalked
up five tackles and recovered a fumble. Brian Koontz of Northern
Bedford produced six tackles for the North defense. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
|
12 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
6 |
8 |
14 |
|
28 |
|
| |
|
1990
The 20th Lantzy Classic was a case-in-point as to why football gjunes
are decided on the field rather than in pregame press clippings.
The South has been blessed with an over abundance of offensive talent,
evidenced by the fact that Bedford Area’s brilliant runningback Keith
Williams had been shifted to defense early in the practice week.
There was some early conjecture that this game might materialize
into the most lopsided contest ever in the series. But, the North
had different ideas. And by the opening kickoff, North coach Chuck
Lucidore (Penn Cambria) has his troops emotionally primed. While,
the South did prevail, the 15-0 victory didn’t come easy, and a crowd,
estimated at 4,500, was treated to an outstanding game.
After both teams slugged it out in a scoreless first quarter, the
South finally dented the Point Stadium Scoreboard with 1:47 left
in the first half. Eight plays after defensive end Mike Marshall
(Bedford Area) recovered a North fumble at the N-45, fullback Steve
Bellack (Bishop McCort) completed a five-yard sprint to the end zone
and Jeff Hess (Greater Johnstown) kicked the extra point.
Both Lucidore and South head coach Dennis Stahl (Meyersdale) agreed
that the pivotal play occurred on the first play of the second half
when South quarterback Chad Fetzer (Bishop McCort) and speedy wideout
Rob Veney (Greater Johnstown) caught the North defense napping and
completed a 38-yard pass to the North 20.
Two plays later, halfback Chris Palumbo (Windber Area), who enjoyed
a banner evening, broke loose on an 18-yard touchdown run that saw
the shifty runner elude three would-be tacklers. Fetzer’s run for
the two-point conversion set the final score. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
7 |
8 |
0 |
|
15 |
|
| |
|
1991
The North and South battled relentlessly for most of four quarters
before the 21st Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Football Game was decided
with just 1:52 left on the Point Stadium Clock.
A couple of Mainline area stars-quarterback Shane Leahey of Bishop
Carroll High School and running-back Travis Kargo of Portage-finally
handed the North its ninth win in the Classic by combining on a 43-yard
touchdown pass.The aerial provided the game’s only points in a 6-0
North win. It marked the lowest scoring game in Lantzy history.
The North threatened last in the first quarter when quarterback Dave
Brocious (Purchase Line) broke loose on a 37-yard run and advanced
the ball to South 19- Only a saving-tackle by the South’s James Bush
(Greater Johnstown) prevented a TD. Unfortunately Brocious fractured
his left collarbone on the play and was lost to the North for the
rest of the game.
The North threatened again late in the second quarter when it marched
to the South 15, where Jason Buggey of Homer-Center watched his 33-yard
field goal attempt sail wide to the right with 15 seconds left.
Neither team launched a serious scoring threat in the second half
until Kargo stepped into the right corner of the end zone with Leahey’s
winning pass. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
6 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
|
1992
The North and South all-star teams combined for a Ken Lantzy Finest
40 game record 80 points in the 1992 contest. The North defeated
the South 51-29 before an estimated crowd of 5,000 at Point Stadium.
The teams scored the more points in two quarters that had been scored
in the previous two Lantzy games combined. The 80 total points in
this game were more than the cumulative total of 78 points scored
in the previous four Lantzy games.
The North’s running game accounted for a big night from Central Cambria’s
Rick Hoffman, who gained 142 yards on 21 carries and scored twice,
and Homer-Center’s Matt Lee, who’s 135 yards on 12 attempts, including
a 44-yard touchdown, for an average of 11.3 yards a carry. Lee was
named the North’s offensive player of the game. North quarterback
Rick Artley completed 6 of 11 passes for 153 yards on two TDs.
Perm’s Manor’s Matt Gates hit 3 of 6 for 80 yards and a TD. The big
play of the game came when the North scored on a 80-yard pass play
from Artley to Forest Hill’s Greg Myers with four seconds left in
the first half and the South leading 14-12.
The big play turned the momentum to the North’s favor. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
6 |
12 |
12 |
21 |
|
51 |
|
| South |
|
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
29 |
|
| |
|
1993
Johnstown High standouts Geroy Simon and Justin Misner-Britt proved
that a 1-7-1 Trojans season didn’t mean that JHS was without talent.
Simon, who went on to play collegiality at Maryland, and Misner-Britt
put on a show, as the South beat the North 41-14.
Simon returned a punt 60 years for a touchdown to give a South an
early 7-0 lead. He had four receptions for 99 yards, including a
53-yard touchdown catch of a pass from Windber’s Scott Lybarger.
Simon also rushed for 12 yards and was even the holder on extra-point
kicks by Lybarger. Misner-Britt had two pivotal catches for 57 yards,
including a 17-yard TD that gave the South a 27-14 lead for four
seconds before halftime. His athletic ability showed on a 40-yard
reception, which he ran down to catch in over-the-shoulder fashion,
before bowling over a defensive back who had coverage. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
14 |
|
| South |
|
10 |
17 |
7 |
7 |
|
41 |
|
| |
|
1994
The 24th edition of the Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Game really
was two games in one. The South carried the first game, leading 33-0
after three quarters. The North won the fourth, scoring 28 points
in the find 15 minutes. Add the numbers and you have a 33-28 South
victory.
Veteran Laurel Valley coach Gerry Page notched his first Lantzy Game
victory. Conemaugh Township’s Don Haines, named the South’s outstanding
offensive back, threw for two touchdowns. Somerset’s Ben Walter and
Bedford’s Bill Benbow each ran for touchdowns, and Johnstown’s Mike
Hardison returned an interception 65 yards for another score.
The North came back behind Portage’s Eric Maul, who hit 10 of 20
second-half passes for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was named the
North’s outstanding back. Cambria Heights’ Adam Weber scored on two
runs for the North. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
7 |
13 |
13 |
0 |
|
33 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
28 |
|
28 |
|
| |
|
1995
For 43 minutes, it seemed as if a field goal would be enough to win
the 25th Ken Lantzy Finest 40 game. But that changed when the South
went to Westmont’s Herb Aust and the belly play in second half. Aust
gained 100 of his game-best 124 yards over the final 17 minutes of
play and scored two TD’s in the South’s 14-3 victory over the North
before a crowd estimated at 5,000.
The North’s Jess Houser booted a 20-yard field goal in the first
half. Aust scored on a 26-yard TD run with 2:00 left in the third
quarter. The Hilltop running back added a 29-yard TD late in the
game.
The South also scored on a safety, when Ferndale’s Jeff Cypher tackled
Penn Cambria’s Corey McConnell in the end zone. Conemaugh Township’s
Rick Matsko punted 44 yards to pin the North deep in its own territory
to set up the safety. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
6 |
8 |
|
14 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
|
| |
|
1996
There was plenty of action from the opening kickoff to the final
play, as the North pulled out a 35-32 win.
The North scored on its third play when Blairsville’s Sam Lezzi ran
54 yards for a touchdown. On its next possession the North scored
again a 1-yard plunge by Central Cambria’s Eric Lucas. The South
roared back, scoring on their next series, with a 4-yard run by Westmont’s
Shawn Noon. The South pulled even before the half on a 66-yard pass
from Jay Gervinski of Bedford to Bishop McCort’s Shawn Newcomer.
In the second half the North jumped out in front again picking off
a South pass and using only one play to score as the Altoona connection
hooked up on a 26-yard pass from Todd Bank to Greg Geishauser. But
the South came back gain to narrow the lead to 27-24. The North scored
again and held off a late rally by the South to win. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
14 |
0 |
13 |
8 |
|
35 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
14 |
10 |
8 |
|
32 |
|
| |
|
1997
There were plenty of fireworks at Windber Stadium for the Ken Lantzy
Finest 40 All-Star football game. In the end the North proved to
be more explosive the South, in pulling out a 25-14 win.
The North got on the board first when Dave Secriskey scored on a
one yard plunge and then added a two point conversion to take an
8-0 lead. The North moved again with a 13 play drive ending in a
12 yard sweep and an extra point to set the score at 15-0.
In the second half the North scored first on a 25 yard field goad,
but the South came roaring back. First on a 75 yard drive and a one
yard run by Don Thomas, then a five yard run by Scott Flowers and
a two point conversion by Chris Locher put the score at 18-14. But
on the Norths next possession a 59 yard pass to Brian Eredler put
the game away and net the final at 25-14. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
8 |
7 |
3 |
7 |
|
25 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
6 |
8 |
|
14 |
|
| |
|
1998
Chestnut Ridge graduates, Jon Claar and Greg Feather capped their
scholastic careers in grand fashion. Feather caught four passes for
156 yards and 3 TD’s of 46, 70 and 34 yards. Claar completed 5 of
7 passes for 166 yards and two of the Feather touchdowns.
It was the North scoring touchdowns early with its punishing rushing
attack. The North gained 107 yards rushing in the opening 15 minutes
including a 5 yard TD run by Bellwood’s Don Lingenfelter and a 2
yard keeper by Matt Miller.
Patience was a virtue for the South as they owned the second quarter
by scoring three passing touchdowns, two by Jon Claar and one by
Justin Secrest to lead at halftime 21-14.
In the third quarter the South built its lead to 35-14 on a one yard
plunge by Dave Deneen and a 34 yard TD pass, Secrest to Feathers
that set the final score as the South defense held the North offense
to only 7 first downs over the final three quarters. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
14 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
21 |
14 |
0 |
|
35 |
|
| |
|
1999
On Saturday night, the South squad broke open a close contest in
the second half, taking advantage of North mistakes and excellent
offensive execution to earn a victory.
The first half was close with each team trading touchdowns, the South
on a 34 yard pass from Keith Respet to Nick Schario and a sustained
drive by the North, highlighted by a fake punt on a fourth and two,
which resulted, several plays later, in a 21 yard touchdown pass,
Brian Cence to Justin Karabinos. The South then added a score on
a 12 yard pass from Matt Statler to Justin Thiel, which was set up
by a 60 yard run by Nathan Leach.
The South had a 14-7 halftime lead, but the momentum turned when
the South capitalized on the North’s errant play. Early in the second
half a bad punt snap went out of the end zone for a safety, and on
the North’s next series a quarterback sack resulted in a fumble which
was returned for a touchdown and suddenly the South had a 23-7 lead.
By the end of the third quarter, the score was 38-7 on a one yard
run by Zak Ickes and a two yard touchdown by John Burda.
The scoring was closed out in the fourth quarter with each team swapping
1 yard touchdown runs, the South by Joe Cannoni and the North by
Justin Beyer. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
7 |
7 |
24 |
7 |
|
45 |
|
| North |
|
7 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
13 |
|
| |
|
2000
The South squad came out clicking on all cylinders and rolled to
a 48-20 win for their third straight victory in this all-star classic.
The South was on the board first via 46 yard pass from Conemaugh
Township’s Paul Beyer to Richland’s Bill Rose. After an interception
by Bishop McCort’s Kevin Sheridan the South struck again on a 3 yard
run by North Star’s Michael Kovach. The North then moved the ball
on a 62 yard 10 play drive to score and narrowed the South lead to
14-6. The two squads traded possessions and the South capitalized
on an eleven play drive with the final 20 yards covered by Nick Rizzo
of Windber to set the halftime score at 20-6.
Starting the second half, the North fumbled and the South recovered
and promptly scored from 9 yards out on a reverse to Bill Rose to
increase the lead to 27-6. The South scored again after a stalled
North drive, when Paul Byer hit Meyersdale’s Nate Meyer on a 64 yard
bomb, which set the score at 34-6. The Forest Hill’s connection Dave
Poldiak to Josh Rearick, accounted for 2 scores to bring the total
to 34-20 South. Two More South scores put the game away and the final
at 48-20. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
0 |
6 |
14 |
0 |
|
20 |
|
| South |
|
14 |
6 |
21 |
7 |
|
48 |
|
| |
|
2001
A three game winning streak by the South was ended last night on
a come from behind 26-25 North victory.
The South opened the scoring as Windbers Jeff Slatcoff unleashed
a 72 yard bomb to Chris Bedell of Greater Johnstown for a 7-0 lead.
But the North came back with its own score on a long drive which
ended with a John Bednarski 1 yard run to bring the score to 7-6.
In the 2nd quarter the South used its passing game to again score
with a 3 yard pass Walt Shutack to Rob Kolson, which set the score
at half time 13-6 South.
In the 2nd half the South again scored first on another long pass
of 68 yards, Slatcoff to Bedell for a South 19-6 lead. In a see-saw
battle the North retaliated with an 11 play drive capped by a 2 yard
run by Blairsville’s Jarrod Highberger. Back again came the South
with a 10 yard scoring pass to Victor Callahan from Jeff Slatcoff
as the South increased their lead to 25-12. As before, the North
roared back with a 38 yard pass from Forest Hill’s Derek Bailey to
Damion Buterbaugh of Northern Cambria to close the gap to 25-18.
Then to set the final score, Jason Hardwick ran a punt back 52 yards
for a score to bring the North a victory in dramatic fashion. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
7 |
6 |
12 |
0 |
|
25 |
|
| North |
|
6 |
0 |
12 |
8 |
|
26 |
|
| |
|
2002
The North used a strong running game to beat the South 40-20 in the
32nd Annual Game. The North started the scoring on a 5 yard run by
Chad Schilling after a fumble recovery at the 26. The South then
recovered a North fumble and in sixplays turned it into a 2 yard
touchdown by Everett’s Josh Levy. On the North’s next possession
they used five play drive to score again on a 36 yard pass from Wes
Krider to Ryan Minor. The North continued to roll by using a nine
play drive to score on a 4 yard run to make the score 21-7 at the
half. But in the third period the South regained some momentum and
scored on their own 9 play drive ending in a Joe Arcurio to John
Duray 11 yard pass making the score 21-14. But the North put the
game away by scoring three consecutive times, two on runs of 3 yards
and 18 yards and a pass from Penn Cambria’s Dan Peters to Scott Ball
of Central Cambria to set the score at 40 to 14. A late score by
the South put the final at 40 to 20 in favor of the North. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
6 |
15 |
0 |
19 |
|
40 |
|
| South |
|
7 |
0 |
7 |
6 |
|
20 |
|
| |
|
2003
In dramatic fashion the South came back to win in a 30-28 contest.
With little scoring in the first half the North managed to score
a touchdown on a 59 yard drive capped by a 44 yard pass by Nate Crookshank.
In the second quarter the South intercepted the North and on the
first play scored on a 12 yard halfback pass, Alex Shroyer to Jonathan
Matson which set the halftime score at 7-7.
With the start of the second half the fireworks began with the North
scoring twice in the first minute of play. The first on a kickoff
return of 84 yards and a 28 yard pass, Crookshank to Steve Verba
on their next possession. The South answered with a 1 yard run by
Chad Shoemaker to make the score 21-14 North. Crookshank again hooked
up with another receiver, Brian Shope for another touchdown setting
the score at 28-14. In the fourth quarter the South dominated with
a Chad Shoemaker 6 yard run and 27 yard fumble recovery return by
Rob Sakmar which then set the score at 28-27 North. This set up the
final score on a 33 yard field goal by John Curle with 7.3 seconds
left which gave the South an exciting victory. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
0 |
7 |
7 |
16 |
|
30 |
|
| North |
|
7 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
|
28 |
|
| |
|
2004
Defense is not usually the strong suite of an all-star football game.
But the crowd witnessed a defensive showcase as the North beat the
South 7-0 at the 34th annual game. In the first half, the North offensive
had 43 yards on the ground gaining 28 yards on three rushes. The
South has 48 yards on 22 carries in the first half. The last time
the Lantzy Game was scoreless at the half was in 1991, the lowest
scoring game (6-0) in Lantzy History.
Jonathan Buggey of Homer-Center picked off a Chris Roberts pass with
10.9 seconds remaining in the third, returning the ball to the 16
and setting up the North Score. The North’s scoring drive was capped
by a 3-yard run of Todd Koenig of Bishop Carroll.Tyler Ribblett of
Conemaugh Valley kicked the extra point to account for the game’s
scoring. A turnover at the end of third quarter led to an eight-play
North drive for the games only score in a 7-0 victory. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
7 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
|
2005
Blairsville running back Matt Strope gained 141 yards and earned
two scholarships during Saturday’s Ken Lantzy finest 40 All-star
Football Game.
The John Hoptins University-bound Strope was a key cog in the North
squad’s 21-14 victory over the South at Trojan Stadium.
But Strope shared the moment with a hunch of guys who usually avoid
the spotlight “Get me behind an offensive line like that, and I’m
going to rumble,” Strope said. “We’ve got some big boys up front.
All week they talked about speed, speed, speed for the South. We’ve
got that offensive and defensive line. They’re huge. They Just laid
the wood, pancakes all night.”
The North rushed for 293 yards and beat the South at its own game.
The South lineup included high-profile backs such as Greater Johnstown’s
LaRod Stephens, Berlin’s Eric D’Carrion, Bishop McCort’s Shawn Lewis
and Bedford quarterback Troy Harris.
That group gained its yards: Stephens (88 yards), D’Carrlon (77)
and Lewis (56).
But In the end, the North’s balance and a big defensive stop by Bishop
Carroll’s Chris Kline made the difference.
Kline halted D’Carrion inside the 1 -yard line on a fourth-and-goal
run with :01 on the clock.
“Three plays in a row, they had been running on the toss on that
side,” Kline said of Lewis dashes of 7 and 3 yards that got the South
close. They were triple teaming me and pulling the guard.
“The last time, my corner came up and took on the blockers. I hit
D’Carrion and just stopped him before he got to the goal line. I
saw the blue and I saw he didn’t get into the end zone.” The North
built a 13-0 first-quarter advantage. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
13 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
|
21 |
|
| South |
|
6 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
14 |
|
| |
|
2006
South coach Phil DeMarco credited defense for his team’s victory
over the North in a high scoring 2006 game. The South gained an early
advantage when Windber’s Matt Wilson intercepted and ran 47 yards
to the North 18-yard line. Two plays later Bedford quarterback Kyler
Ford scored on a1yard keeper and booted the extra point. John Kamzik
of Richland intercepted and returned 32 yards setting up a touchdown
run by Westmont’s Nick McKolosky.
The North answered with Conemaugh Valley’s Vince Turner’s 42 yard
run to the South 16 and Blairsville’s Zack Sabella took a reverse
into the end zone. Bishop Carroll’s Brock Lauer threw to Matt Martella
of Portage for a two point conversion on a fake kick to make it 14-8.
Blairsville’s Nick Stone ran 52 yards to set up his own touchdown
run on fourth down. Blairsville’s Adam Highberger scored on a conversion
run after another fake kick to end the opening quarter with the North
leading 16-13. Second quarter touchdowns by Westmont’s Brad Kanuch
for the South and North’s Stone left the North leading 22-20. Then
South QB Ford hit Greater Johnstown’s Xavier Thomas for a 31 yard
touchdown pass and passed to Kanuch for the conversion and a 28-22
halftime lead.
In the third quarter Shade’s Ben Leonard and Kanuch teamed on a 51
yard touchdown reception and Bedford’s John Marshall ran the conversion.
United’s Sean Domer scored on a 6 yard run for the South early in
the fourth to make it 43-22. With less than 10 minutes to play Highberger
threw to Martella and Stone’s conversion run pulled the North within
13 points. Ford kicked a 30 yard field goal to make it 46-30. North’s
Turner caught a 4 yard Highberger pass to close the scoring with
seconds left to play. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
13 |
15 |
7 |
11 |
|
46 |
|
| North |
|
16 |
6 |
0 |
14 |
|
36 |
|
| |
|
2007
With the his South team 85 yards away from the end zone and trailing
by three points late in Saturday’s Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star
Football Game, Meyersdale quarterback Matt Stahl did what came naturally
to him.
Stahl looked for Red Raiders teammate Jeff Miller, a 6-foot-2 tight
end on Meyersdale’s undefeated, District 5 Class A championship team.
The duo clicked for three first-down passes, the last one good for
a 26-yard score that sealed the South’s 14-10 comeback victory over
the North at Trojan Stadium.
“Anytime we had a close game during the regular season, Jeff was
the target I was looking for,” said Stahl, who completed 7 of 17
passes for 110 yards. “It just so happened that we ran the boot pass
and my reads went to the tight end. I saw him break open. He made
the play.”
The game-winning reception came on third-and-13. Stahl rolled to
his left and threw across his body to Miller on the sideline.
Miller caught the pass near the North 13-yard line, slipped a defender
and ran to the end zone with 1:02 on the clock. Mike Muir booted
the extra point.
“Me and Matt have been together for four years, and we know what
we’re each going to do,” said Miller after making five catches for
82 yards and two touchdowns. “He just put the ball on the spot. We
were just going for the first down there. It was the route we wanted
to run. I just spun off the defender.”
A Miller catch for 12 yards converted a third-and-4 from the South
21 earlier in the drive. Miller grabbed a 27-yard pass on a fourth-and-4
to keep the march going with 2:56 left.
“Matt will put the ball on the spot in any situation and I’m very
confident in him,” Miller said.
Greater Johnstown’s Aaron Brezovic of the South sealed the win with
his fourth sack of the game with 11 seconds left.
“We all played as a team and that’s what it came down to in the end,”
Brezovic said.
Brezovic, who had 291⁄2 sacks in his final two seasons, earned the
South’s defensive line award.
The North’s Logan Small broke a scoreless tie with a 14-yard touchdown
run six seconds into the second quarter. Dylan Snowberger’s extra
point made it 7-0. Small took the North’s offensive back award.
The South, held without a first down through the opening 14:57, finally
put together a 79-yard march keyed by Brandon Hody’s 11-yard touchdown
pass to Miller. Muir’s extra-point tied the score.
The North’s Snowberger booted a 37-yard field goal with 28 seconds
left in the third quarter to make it 10-7.
Other award winners were: North–Chris Lieb, Northern Cambria, defensive
back; Matt McMurray, Altoona, defensive line; and Corey Leahey, Penn
Cambria, offensive line. South–Jesse Feaster, Bedford, offensive
back; David Komoroski, Ligonier Valley, offensive line; and Scott
Lewis, Bishop McCort, defensive back. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
0 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
14 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
|
10 |
|
| |
|
2008
The 38th annual Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Football Game Saturday
night at Trojan Stadium featured impressive passes, jarring hits
and some jaw-dropping rushes.
But this Lantzy game had something
that no previous one had ever experienced - stoppage of play due
to lightning.
With 3:14 remaining in the third
quarter, officials took the teams to the locker room and shortly
thereafter, the game was called.
The final score read South 33-0
over the North, the Rebels' third straight victory.
"We had a very talented team this year," South coach Stacy Schmitt
of North Star said. "The players were very unselfish and worked together
as a team. That's really the most rewarding thing, to see them come
from different schools, jelling together. Our offensive and defensive
lines really came together as a unit."
The South got on the Scoreboard at the end of the first quarter,
mounting a seven-play drive from the 40-yard line.
The drive was
capped by a pass from Somerset's Jordan Kaufman to Bishop McCort's
Matt Varga for a 10-yard score.
Kaufman connected with Richland's
Dan Fenton for the conversion and an 8-0 lead for the South.
The
Rebels got three more scores in the second quarter on each of their
three possessions.
Tyler Edwards of Meyersdale scored from 34 yards
out and Kaufman threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Windber's Mike
Webb.
Some trickery by the South, had quarterback Jordan DeFrances
of Bishop McCort lateral the ball back to Fenton, who then threw
downfield to a waiting Varga for the 44-yard score.
The South continued
its momentum, taking the second-half kickoff in the end zone and
marching to a score, keyed by runs by Kaufman (35 yards), Rockwood's
Tyler Baker (5) and a pass to Westmont's Nick Khuri (12 yards).
The
drive was culminated by Reed's 29-yard scamper for the touchdown.
For the South, Reed finished with 123 yards on 11 carries and Edwards
had seven rushes for 63 yards. Northern Cambria's Jeremiah Dunchack
topped the North rushing with six carries for 14 yards while Chris
Hibbs of Blairsville had two catches for 26 yards.
South award winners
from the game included: Will Harris of Johnstown (defensive back);
Shad Nair of North Star (defensive line); Brett Shippey of Bedford
(offensive line); and Varga (offensive back). The North winners were:
Jonathan Rajnish of Northern Cambria (defensive line); Sean Billings
of Bishop Carroll (offensive line); Adam Petrosky of Central Cambria
(defensive back); and Hibbs (offensive back).
"We just got outmanned up front," North coach Dave Small of Purchase
Line said. "We had opportunities earlier in the game and weren't
able to capitalize on them."
Notes: Marion Center's Alex Borst won the Paul Shandor award while
Ligonier Valley's Jon Cotchen was the Dave Rizzo award winner. ...
Conemaugh Valley's Josh Siwy received the scholarship for scholastic
achievement while Central Cambria's Shane McGregor was the scholar-athlete
recipient. Dave Seidel of Bishop McCort was the hon-oree coach. ...
There were dozens of area coaches - both past, present and future
- on the sidelines or in the stands, watching what for many players
was their last game as football players. ... At halftime, Raymond
Buchan of Westmont (Lantzy, 1991) and Rickie Hafer of Laurel Valley
(Lantzy, 2000), who were killed in service to their country in Iraq,
were honored. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
8 |
18 |
7 |
0 |
|
33 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
|
2009
A record number of points were scored in the 39th Ken Lantzy All Star Game.
The South exploded in the first quarter as North Star quarterback Cory Kaltenbaugh
tossed a short pass to Richland's Tim Ripple who then ran 82 yards for a touchdown just 18
seconds into the game.
Matt Beckman of Ligonier booted the extra point and Patrick Hall
of Laurel Valley intercepted the next play from scrimmage, putting his team at the North's 20 yard line.
Matt Beckman of Ligonier booted the extra point and Patrick Hall of Laurel Valley intercepted the next
play from scrimmage, putting his team at the North's 20 yard line.
South defensive end Brett Hankinson stopped a run and set up another scoring drive ending with a 12 yard
run by Bishop McCort's Eric Lowry, making it 21-0.
But the North answered back with a 17 yard touchdown run by Northern Cambria's Andrew
Paronish followed by the extra point kicked by Alex Patterson of Marion Center.
The rules permit a team down by double digits to receive the kickoff after a touchdown and the North took
the ball again and drove 63 yards to score on a one yard sneak by Blairsville quarterback Justin McGinnis.
The South deepened their lead on the next kickoff when Blacklick Valley's Taylor Holby broke free and ran 93 yards for
a touchdown on the kickoff to make it 28-14.
A roughing the kicker penalty on a North field goal attempt put the
North inside their own 10 and led to a 7 yard scoring run by Scott Mehall of Forest Hills.
Then Bryon Stanek of
Cambria Heights intercepted a pass at the 42 and returned it to the 19.
Garret Sisak of Homer Center connected with
Bedford's Zach Hess who was able to dodge a defender and go for a 26 yard touchdown.
By halftime it was anybody's
game at 28-26.
The second half began with another burst of offensive power by the South. Johnstown running back Quadir
Christian took a direct snap and then lateraled back to Kaltenbaugh who connected with Riple for a 43 yard touchdown pass.
On the extra point holder Jack Shrey of Bishop McCort passed to Zellem for the conversion and the South gained a 10 point advantage.
Later touchdowns by Christian and Lowry raised the South score to 50.
The North scored again on a Sisak pass to
Everett's Cory Waltman and another touchdown by Andrew O'Saben of Central Cambria late in the game, leaving the score at 50-38,
and all time high of points scored in the All Star Game.
|
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
21 |
7 |
15 |
7 |
|
50 |
|
| North |
|
7 |
19 |
0 |
12 |
|
38 |
|
| |
|
2004
Defense is not usually the strong suite of an all-star football game.
But the crowd witnessed a defensive showcase as the North beat the
South 7-0 at the 34th annual game. In the first half, the North offensive
had 43 yards on the ground gaining 28 yards on three rushes. The
South has 48 yards on 22 carries in the first half. The last time
the Lantzy Game was scoreless at the half was in 1991, the lowest
scoring game (6-0) in Lantzy History.
Jonathan Buggey of Homer-Center picked off a Chris Roberts pass with
10.9 seconds remaining in the third, returning the ball to the 16
and setting up the North Score. The North’s scoring drive was capped
by a 3-yard run of Todd Koenig of Bishop Carroll.Tyler Ribblett of
Conemaugh Valley kicked the extra point to account for the game’s
scoring. A turnover at the end of third quarter led to an eight-play
North drive for the games only score in a 7-0 victory. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
7 |
|
| North |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
| |
|
2005
Blairsville running back Matt Strope gained 141 yards and earned
two scholarships during Saturday’s Ken Lantzy finest 40 All-star
Football Game.
The John Hoptins University-bound Strope was a key cog in the North
squad’s 21-14 victory over the South at Trojan Stadium.
But Strope shared the moment with a hunch of guys who usually avoid
the spotlight “Get me behind an offensive line like that, and I’m
going to rumble,” Strope said. “We’ve got some big boys up front.
All week they talked about speed, speed, speed for the South. We’ve
got that offensive and defensive line. They’re huge. They Just laid
the wood, pancakes all night.”
The North rushed for 293 yards and beat the South at its own game.
The South lineup included high-profile backs such as Greater Johnstown’s
LaRod Stephens, Berlin’s Eric D’Carrion, Bishop McCort’s Shawn Lewis
and Bedford quarterback Troy Harris.
That group gained its yards: Stephens (88 yards), D’Carrlon (77)
and Lewis (56).
But In the end, the North’s balance and a big defensive stop by Bishop
Carroll’s Chris Kline made the difference.
Kline halted D’Carrion inside the 1 -yard line on a fourth-and-goal
run with :01 on the clock.
“Three plays in a row, they had been running on the toss on that
side,” Kline said of Lewis dashes of 7 and 3 yards that got the South
close. They were triple teaming me and pulling the guard.
“The last time, my corner came up and took on the blockers. I hit
D’Carrion and just stopped him before he got to the goal line. I
saw the blue and I saw he didn’t get into the end zone.” The North
built a 13-0 first-quarter advantage. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
13 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
|
21 |
|
| South |
|
6 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
14 |
|
| |
|
2010
The North was hungry for a win after a four game losing streak and came out on top of an 18-16 score in the 40th game
of the Ken Lantzy All Star classic. The North team scored first on a 7 yard pass from Zach Glessner of Forrest Hills
to Altoona's Josh Adams after a 73 yard march on 6 plays. The South pulled ahead after Richland's Gino Ramires connected
with Seth Zaman of Conemaugh Township for a touchdown capping 6 plays and then Dane Domonkos of Bishop McCort kicked
the extra point. In the second quarter, Kyle Zambanini of Conemaugh Township intercepted Glessner, but moments later the
North's Erik Espe of Central Cambria picked off a Famires pass and returned it 22 yards for a score. A conversion run
failed but the North had the lead a 12-7 in the second quarter when lightning and a heavy downpour disrupted the action
and delayed the game nearly an hour.
When play resumed, it was the start of the third quarter. Both teams had turnovers before a 22 yard field goal by the South's
Domonkos put the score at 12-10. In the fourth quarter, Ramires was intercepted by Travis Holby of Penns Manor resulting
in a touchdown to advance the North's lead 18-10. The South answered with a 6 play drive ending with a score on a Ramires to
Domonkos pass. A two-point conversion failed and the south tried an onside kick, but Justin Lamantia of Marion Center
recovered the ball for the North who ran out the clock for the final minutes.
|
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| South |
|
6 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
|
18 |
|
| North |
|
7 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
|
16 |
|
| |
|
2011
Defense ruled in the 2011 All Star game as the North squad nearly shut out the South. Both team's offense struggled to score in
the first half of the game. The only score came from a 26-yard field goal by Josh Chumrik of Bishop Carroll. The North took over
in the second half of the game as Central Cambria's Mitchell Brown intercepted a pass by quarterback Victor Manda of Blacklick Valley.
Brown ran 25 yards for the touchdown. On their next possession, the North extended its lead with a three play 56-yard drive culminating in
a 40 yard score by Nick Dudukovich of Forest Hills. Then came the North’s two point conversion run by Central Cambria's Nick Wissinger to put
two more points on the board. Two additional North scores came from a 2-yard touchdown run by Northern Bedford's Preston Albright and a 4-yard
run by Nick Wissinger.
The South scored its only points with just minutes left in the game capitalizing on the interception of Caleb Vescovi’s
pass by Richland's John Klinar at the North’s 30 yard line. The South’s Hayden Stumpo of Conemaugh Township connected with Berlin's Alex Will who
ran it in for the score and saved the shutout. |
| |
| Team |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
T |
|
| North |
|
3 |
0 |
14 |
14 |
|
31 |
|
| South |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
6 |
|
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