South squad — and fun — prevail at Bayside all-star game
The second annual Bayside Senior All-Star football game concluded with team South defeating team North 38-22 on a very dry, chilly Saturday evening at Sea Gull Stadium.
For many of the high school seniors, this last game under the lights was not only to a time to put on a display for college recruiters across the country, but also a chance for them to enjoy playing the game they love most in front of family and friends for the final time in their high school careers.
Its very competitive between the South and North — we want to win, but at the same time we just want to come out here and have fun, said Wicomico High School running back OJ Byrd, the Souths Offensive MVP. Im glad (we) won and had a good time (doing so).
Byrd finished the night with 114 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns.
The game was tied 14-14 at halftime. The teams seemed to rival each other drive for drive, both rushing and through the air. The game remained close until the fourth quarter, when, with the South squad ahead 31-22, Wicomico wideout/kick/punt returner Corray Heath returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown with 6:36 left to play. The play came on the heels of a team North touchdown.
Team Souths defense stepped in from that point on and sealed the victory.
When we came together as a team, it seemed like we played well, said Stephen Decatur High School linebacker John Lewis, team Souths Defensive MVP. We (showed) teamwork. Everyone did their job.
Lewis finished the night with 13 tackles (four solo), with one tackle for a loss.
Decatur coach Bobby Knox, now in his second year coaching the South team, thought his players showed a great team effort.
The kids played hard, he said. All the kids got to play. I think they had a lot of fun.
At the end, members of both teams met each other at the 50 yard line and congratulated one another, wishing each other well before heading off the field for the last time.
Sportsmanship is great, Knox said. The players are fortunate enough to have coaches in this conference who (are willing) to volunteer their time to (come together) so they could have one last hurrah.
There was a little trash talk (during the game), but whats football without (it)? Lewis asked. At the end of the game everyone was like, Yeah, its over. It was a good game. It seemed like all the rivalries had ended.