Jun. 19—The defenses ruled at the Northwest Ohio Regional All-Star Football Game on Friday night as the teams combined to force 11 turnovers.
The Black team had six takeaways as it took a 26-14 victory over the Gold at Steinecker Stadium in Perrysburg.
Black quarterback Camden Krugh of Liberty Center threw two touchdowns passes and was named his team’s MVP.
“It feels great knowing how many good players there are on each of the teams,” Krugh said. “To be honored, to win this award is so great.”
St. Francis de Sales defensive end Charlie Morehead recovered two fumbles at the 30th annual event featuring more than 85 recently graduated football standouts.
Black coach Dan Chipka, the former St. Francis coach, said the defenses were ahead of the curve.
“That’s kind of what’s expected that the defenses will have an advantage. You only have four days to install [plays]. We knew the defenses would pin their ears back and have a day,” Chipka said.
Gold wide receiver Brandon Taylor of Archbold earned his team’s MVP award after catching two TD passes from Northwood quarterback Jay Moten.
“It stinks losing and all, but we had a lot of fun out there,” Taylor said. “My quarterback threw a couple of really nice balls and I just went up there and got it. We all became friends and built chemistry. I think this is it for me. So this is amazing. It’s a great way to go out.”
The game was tied at 14 at the half.
Start defensive back Zach Rhymes set up the Black’s third touchdown with an interception as he returned it to the Gold 5. On the next play, QB Dayven Kizer of St. Francis hooked up with Waite’s Morrell Jordan on a TD as the Black took a 20-14 lead with 10:39 left in the game.
On the ensuing kick, Eastwood’s Isaac Badenhop recovered a loose ball to get it back for the Black. Krugh threw his second TD of the night as he hit Findlay’s Elisha Baxter on a 37-yard touchdown to put the Black up 26-14 with 10:13 left.
Chipka said he was proud of how his offense clicked in the passing game with Krugh and his former QB Kizer.
“We were able to make some high-percentage throws,” he said. “Our quarterbacks did a good job managing this game.”
On the first play of the second quarter, Morehead forced a fumble and recovered it. The defensive lineman snatched the ball from the Gold running back’s arms and gave the Black team the ball at the Gold 25.
“That was real fun out there,” said Morehead, who will play junior college football at Hocking College. “I missed playing football and getting turnovers and celebrating with my teammates. This meant a lot. I’m so glad I was selected to play in this game.”
Two plays later, Krugh connected with Patrick Henry’s Clayton Feehan on a 10-yard TD for a 14-7 lead.
When asked if there was any better way to end his high school career, Krugh said: “Maybe winning a state title. But this is the second-best thing you can get. I had a great week out here with all of these guys. I made a lot of new friends. They had some dogs on their team. They were getting to me quick and I just did what I could. It was a great all-around experience.”
Moten came up with the play of the game late in the first half. His long throw was an absolute dime, traveling on a line 41 yards down the sideline. Moten hit Taylor in stride in the end zone for a TD, tying the game at 14 with 1:04 left in the half.
The Gold got the ball back on the next play from scrimmage when Clay’s Seth Meinke came up with an interception.
The Black team took a 6-0 lead after a bobbled snap on a punt. Wauseon linebacker Isaac Wilson picked up the loose ball and took it 35 yards for a touchdown. The Black team seized a 6-0 cushion 2:50 into the contest.
The Gold team responded with a touchdown as Moten connected with Taylor on a 45-yard TD strike to give the team a 7-6 lead with 3:42 left in the first quarter.
The teams exchanged turnovers in the second quarter. Whitmer’s Will Gunn came up with an interception for the Black team. Gold defensive back Ryan Gray of Otsego answered with a pick for his team.
Archbold’s Caleb Hogrefe kept the turnover trend going as he intercepted a pass for the Gold team.
It looked as though the Black team had taken the lead early in the third quarter on a spectacular 65-yard TD reception by Soloman Sandoval of Toledo Christian, who made a terrific run after the catch. But the play was called back on a personal foul.
The Gold’s Jashon Jones sacked Kizer to force a turnover on downs late in the third quarter. Black’s Charlie Morehead recovered his second fumble of the game to get the ball back for his team.
Former longtime Perrysburg athletic director Ray Pohlman, the founder of the event, said it has turned into a community tradition.
“When you say 30 years, it’s hard to believe,” Pohlman said. “By word of mouth, it got out that it was a perfect community gathering. It just took off.”
Pohlman, who is the president of the Perrysburg school board, said a tremendous behind-the-scenes effort by a large group of volunteers is needed every year to put on the event.
“It’s not Perrysburg’s game. It’s the community’s game,” Pohlman said. “We’ve been very blessed.”
Pohlman said one rewarding aspect is seeing former players who competed in the game come back to coach in it. Gold coach David Dominique played in the event as a senior at Archbold.
A highlight of the week’s festivities in the past have been guest speakers including Gerry Faust, Archie Griffin, Earle Bruce, Terry Malone, Luke Fickell, Mel Tucker, Dick Tressel, Mike Tomczak, and Jerry Glanville.
Chipka, who will be leaving for Wingate University, said the event provided him a chance to say farewell to his coaching staff that also helped lead the Gold team.
“It was the last dance, and we went out on top,” he said.