In a contest that saw the two teams combine for 105 points, it was the Bucks County All-Stars rallying from a 40-29 halftime deficit to earn a 65-40 win over the Montgomery All-Stars. Team photo provided by Jesse Garber (http://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p465808082). Photos provided by Sharon Shipe Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos capturing all the action...CLICK HERE to go directly to the SOS Football Gallery.
By Scott Huff
Heartbreak Ridge – The 2nd Annual Bucks/Montco Lions Club Classic showcased some explosive offensive fireworks on an awfully chilly May evening. The Bucks County All-Stars – who trailed 40-29 at halftime - scored 36 unanswered points in the second half to secure an astonishing 65-40 shootout victory over the Montgomery County All-Stars in a game played at Neshaminy High School.
The game was playedto honor the memory of legendary Central Bucks West head coach Michael Pettine, Sr. who passed away in February. The resume for the celebrated Buck head coach included four state championships (1991, 1997, 1998, and 1999) and a record of 326-42-4. CB West had a resounding 55-game winning streak and a 45-game win streak that concluded his career with a 14-13 state title win over Erie Cathedral Prep.
The first quarter of the game belonged to the Bucks All Stars who earned a 15-8 lead. Montco forged an early 8-0 lead as it scored on its first drive. George Reid (Abington/Temple) scored the first of his three touchdowns on a 20-yard scoring pass from quarterback Casey Decker (Upper Moreland/Del-Val). Bucks rallied for two scores to take the lead. Zach Tredway (Neshaminy/Monmouth) scored on a 24-yard scoring strike from Mason Jones (Neshaminy/Delaware), while Jones fired his second scoring aerial of the period to Jagger Hartshorn (Pennridge/Wagner).
“I have been lucky enough to grow up and live in Doylestown my entire life,” said current CB West head coach Chas Cathers – who was the Bucks All-Star defensive coordinator. “My dad and I would go to every game In the late 90’s and I am lucky to have watched some of the best High School football to be played in the state of Pennsylvania.
“As a kid I often dreamed about taking the field on Friday night wearing the black and gold, representing CB West,” added Cathers who played for the Bucks from 2002-2005 and was a team captain his senior year. “Although I wasn’t coached by Coach directly, he was a large influence in my life. The tradition we are upholding at CB West is the same tradition in which Coach Pettine and other predecessors have worked so hard to create. It is an honor to have this opportunity and be associated with such a prestigious program.
The second quarterof the game belonged to the Montgomery All-Stars who lit up the scoreboard for 32 points and left leading at intermission 40-29.
Reid was spectacular for Montco scoring on an 18-yard pass from Decker and a 36-yard scoring strike from Joe Curotto (Souderton/West Virginia). Jake Hubler (North Penn/Millersville) also scored a pair of touchdowns on a 62-yard pass from Decker and a three-yard run.
Bucks managed a pair of second period scores of their own. Tredway electrified the crowd with an 89-yard kickoff return, while Hartshorn scored his second of three touchdowns on the night on an 11-yard run.
One player who mighthave received the biggest enjoyment of playing in this All-Star game was Pennridge senior Alex Schmidt. Schmidt suffered a stroke last May 31st. Schmidt – who recently received the Most Courageous Athlete Award from the Pennridge-Quakertown Area Sports Hall of Fame – was the captain of the 2016 Rams. Schmidt – an all Suburban One League defensive end – led Pennridge to the District One playoffs and wins over both Quakertown on Thanksgiving and now was a member of the winning Bucks County All-Star team.
“To be honest, I wasn’t thinking too much about football when all this happened,” said Schmidt. “I just kept an open mind, and got all kinds of support from everyone.
“Coach (Jeff) Hollenbach and the other coaches came to my hospital room, and a lot of players came to visit,” added Schmidt who will play football and attend the Peddie Prep School next year and will field college offers the following year. “I will never forget the first time I was able to practice and all the players came up to me and gave me a huge hug.”
The third quarter saw the Bucks All-Stars regain the lead by outscoring Montco 15-0. Hartshorn – who lined up all over the field – scored on a 42-yard scoring strike from Jones, while Kevin O’Hanlon (CB West/Gettysburg) scored on a 13-yard pass from Jones.
There were three playerson the Montco program that listed Upper Dublin as their high school – and Lock Haven as their college.
Jalen Helm did not play in the game due to injury, but teammates Mike Cotton and Zhaire Lee both started for Montco. Cotton – who caught four passes for 115 yards – started as a wideout, while Lee anchored the Montco defensive line.
“When I made my visit to Lock Haven it felt like home,” said Cotton who will major in criminal justice. “It is a great feeling to know that I can share the next four years of playing football with Jalen and Zhaire.”
“I really liked the coaching staff,” said Lee who will major in Art. “And playing with the Upper Dublin guys will be great because we will continue to push each other.”
The fourth quarterof the game saw the Bucks squad showcase a running attack that scored 21 points.
Malcolm Carey (Bensalem/Alvernia) – who rushed for a game-high 84 yards – scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of three and eight yards. Will Dogba (Neshaminy/Albright) scored the final touchdown of the game on a one-yard run. Barney Amor (Central Bucks East/Colgate) – who was impressive on kickoffs – was a perfect 5-5 on extra points on the night.
After the final horn finally sounded around 10:30 p.m. – there were awards to be handed out.
The Sportsmanship Awards went to Hartshorn (Bucks/Pennridge) and Curotto (Montco/Souderton). The defensive players of the game went to Jack Morgan (Montco/Souderton) and Gerald Whea (Bucks/Bensalem).
And the offensive players of the game on this explosive night went to Reid (Montco/Abington) and Jones (Bucks/Neshaminy).
“One of the reasons that I wanted to play in this game was to get another chance to play offense,” said Reid who will major in business management at Temple. “Temple recruited me as a safety – and if that gets me on the field the fastest – I’m all for it.”
“Playing my final game at Heartbreak Ridge is a great thing,” said Jones who will play football next season at Delaware and will major in finance or economics. “I was honored to play in this game and to continue the tradition we have here at Neshaminy.”
It was an entertaining game that played by a fine group of honorable young men.
Michael Pettine Sr. would have loved it.
Extra Points:
There were some eye-popping stats that came out of the game.
Bucks eye-poppers: (1) Jones completed 16-of-19 passes for 249 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. (2) Tredway caught 7 passes for 96 yards and a score. (3) Hartshorn had a rushing touchdown and caught two passes for scores accounting for 137 total yards. (5) Carey rushed for 84 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns.
Montco eye-poppers: (1) Cotton caught four passes for 115 yards (2) Reid caught five passes for 86 yards and three touchdowns (3) Decker completed 9-of-14 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns (4) Curotto completed 7-of-15 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.
Montgomery County All-Stars 8 32 0 0 * 40
Bucks County All-Stars 15 14 15 21 * 65
Scoring:
Montco: George Reid 20 pass from Casey Decker (Dan Drop pass from Decker)
Bucks: Zach Tredway 24 pass from Mason Jones (Jones pass from Jaggers Hartshorn)
Bucks: Hartshorn 18 pass from Jones (Barney Amor kick)
Montco: Reid 18 pass from Decker (Nicholas Dillon pass from Decker)
Montco: Reid 36 pass from Joe Curotto (Jake Hubler run)
Bucks: Tredway 89 kickoff return (Hartshorn pass from Jones)
Montco: Hubler 62 pass from Decker (Drop pass from Decker)
Bucks: Hartshorn 11 run (pass failed)
Montco: Hubler 3 run (Drop pass from Curotto)
Bucks: Hartshorn 42 pass from Jones (Hartshorn pass from Jones)
Bucks: Kevin O’Hanlon 13 pass from Jones (Amor kick)
Bucks: Malcom Carey 3 run (Amor kick)
Bucks: Carey 8 run (Amor kick)
Bucks: Will Dogba 1 run (Amor kick)
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