East versus West came down to the Battle for the Line of Scrimmage
(West Covina) – The East All-Stars scored early in the second quarter and then made it stand up in a 7-6 win over the West Friday night in the 32nd Annual Hall of Fame Game at West Covina High School.
Defense was the theme of the night for both teams but the East did just enough offensively to get the win. The West tied it late in the third quarter but the extra point was missed allowing the East to escape with the win.
Pomona’s Jamal Overton took home MVP honors as he rushed for 98 yards on 12 carries. 93 of those yards came in the first half. Overton was limited to one carry in the second half due to cramps.
Overton was instrumental in the East touchdown drive doing the bulk of the work. The East drove 97 yards on 13 plays with all of the yardage coming on the ground. Quarterback George Johnson of West Covina went the final 13 yards himself splitting the West defense and going right up the gut to get in the end zone. Jeff Stamp from Diamond Ranch added the point after.
The West had a chance to draw first blood in the first quarter when San Gabriel’s Gilmar Tenes lined up for 40 yard field goal. But a bad snap led to a scramble by Nick Bueno of Monrovia. Bueno fired the ball down the field in a desperation attempt but it was picked off by Jose Nunez of Azusa.
The East offense couldn’t get much going in the second half with Overton on the sidelines but the West finally broke through with 1:03 left in the third. Aaron Simpson (Pasadena) made a big play to extend the drive followed by a 24 yard run by Bueno. On fourth down Bueno threw a rainbow into the right corner of the endzone where Karl Holmes Jr. of Muir leaped up and pulled it down for a 21 yard score.
Tenes’ extra point attempt sailed wide and the East still led 7-6.
Tim Sanderson's (Temple City) blocked punt in the fourth quarter gave the West life.
The West had an opportunity to take the lead in the fourth quarter but the bad snap reared its ugly head again and Tenes didn’t get off the boot.
With Overton out Jacoby Carter of Diamond Ranch picked it up in the second half. Carter rushed for 43 yards on 10 carries. The Northview’s Marquise Thomas left the game early in the first with an injury.
For the West Bueno rushed for 49 yards and threw for 40. He also caught three passes from Jeff Davis of Muir who spelled Bueno when he lined up in the slot.
A final time for local players to have their name in lights
Summary:
2nd Qtr: E-Johnson 13 yd run (Stamp Kick)
3rd Qtr: W-Holmes 21 yd pass from Bueno (Kick Failed)
E 0 7 0 0 7
W 0 0 6 0 6
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