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East falters, streak ends in All-Star game: All-Star Game NotebookGREENSBORO, Jul 23, 2010 (The Wilson Daily Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- After winning three straight against the West, the East couldn't get much going in Wednesday's N.C Coaches Association East-West All-Star football in Greensboro's Jamieson Stadium. Outrushed 83-58 and outpassed 140-77, the East trailed the entire game and struggled to gain any rhythm. It turned the ball over three times (two fumbles, one interception) and was flagged five times for 58 yards as the West went home with the 22-7 win. Still, it was a solid showing by six area representatives -- Hunt lineman Zack Bunn and safety Zack Lee, C.B. Aycock lineman Anderson Barnes and runnng back Marcus Cobb, and Southern Nash tight end DeMarcus Jones and lineman Tyler Whitley. "It's a great accomplishment, even though we lost," Bunn said of being an All-Star. Added Lee: "Everybody's good. Everybody's good. There's not a weak spot on either team." THE EAST'S BEST CHANCE The East's best chance to tie or take the lead came in the second quarter. Trailing 6-0, the East faced fourth-and-goal from the 4 and faked the field goal attempt. Lee took the snap and raced around the right side, nearly scoring but was knocked out at the 1. "The snap was bad. So, I tried to call 'Fire,' and nobody released," said Lee, who made one tackle at safety and returned one punt for nine yards. "I saw an alley, but it closed up quick. I thought we were going to get it. "I was actually kind of excited because I thought I was about to score, but then I got knocked out of bounds. It was close. I was hoping that would spark something if I scored." HICCUPS The East's chances diminished as it made more and more mistakes. Its two fumbles led directly to 10 points by the West, and its penalties helped the West slowly win the battle for field position. "It was hard. We didn't execute like we were supposed to," said Cobb, who ran for nearly 1,975 yards in the regular season but was limited to 24 yards Wednesday. "They were tough. If we didn't make our mistakes, we would've won the game." Added Jones: "We couldn't get clicking on offense. We couldn't get a drive going. Once we did, as y'all saw, we scored." MOVING ON Bunn, Jones and Cobb are like many of their fellow All-Stars in that they will continue playing football in college. So, the week's practices and Wednesday's game were a great stepping stone for what they'll experience next. "The talent for sure. Playing against all-stars," said Bunn, who played on the defensive line, making two tackles on defense, and offensive line. "Just the caliber of athletes you're playing against helps you prepare for next year." Bunn and Jones will be playing together at Lenoir-Rhyne. Although they've played against each other many times, including two classic duels in the regular season and state playoffs last year, Wednesday was the first time they have teamed up. "It was really fun," said Jones, who played tight end and defensive tackle, making the team as an alternate. "Getting that relationship and getting closer with him and with everybody else. "It's just a blessing," he said of being selected. "Being an alternate, I didn't expect to be here. I think it's just a blessing to be here." THE END OF THE ROAD For Lee, Barnes and Whitley, the East-West game was their final chance to strap on the football pads. So, they wanted to make the most of the it. "It's a sour taste, but I enjoyed it, even though we lost this last one," said Lee, who will play baseball at Francis Marion. "It was fun." Added Barnes, who plans to study business and religion at Mount Olive: "We worked hard, but it's good to just be here and enjoy this atmosphere. Just soak it in because it's my last game. It's kind of emotional. It's a loss, but I had fun this week. I didn't hold anything back this week. I played as hard as I possibly could. I really did. "I just have to go with it and know I had a good year and a good career," he continued. "I'll just remember the friendships I made over the week and just the experience of being here. And I got a chance to see what college football might've been like and it really wasn't for me, like I'd first pictured. So, it's just been a good way to end my career." [email protected] -- 265-7807 To see more of The Wilson Daily Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wilsondaily.com/. Copyright (c) 2010, The Wilson Daily Times, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544). |