Kick start keys North

COSTA MESA — With both offenses showing the typical sluggishness that afflicts most teams with only 10 practices to prepare for the Orange County All-Star Football Game, a kick start was needed.

The kicking game provided exactly that for the North, which scored its first 16 points either directly or indirectly off of special teams en route to a 22-10 triumph over the South in front of 7,300 Friday night at Orange Coast College.

The South, which entered a slight favorite, used a short punt and a 41-yard interception return to set up its 10 points, but never found any offensive consistency.

“We just never got into a rhythm,” said South Coach Mike Jacot, who also coaches Santa Margarita High. “We came in with a mindset that we wanted to run the ball, but we never got that going.”

The South also experienced only sporadic success through the air, as it completed 14 of 29 passes for 157 yards.

Corona del Mar High product Taylor Hughes, the Newport-Mesa and Pacific Coast League Offensive Player of the Year last fall, completed seven of 16 for 67 yards. He threw two interceptions, however, while splitting time with Eric Reilly from Trabuco Hills High.

Reilly completed seven of 13 for 90 yards without and interceptions as the Rebels produced eight of their 13 first downs through the air.

The North, meanwhile, cleared the air on the opening kickoff as Villa Park product Steve Munoz took received the ball two yards deep in the end zone and sprinted 92 yards, before being pushed out at the South eight-yard line.

Three plays later, quarterback Aaron Strazicich scrambled in from five yards out for a 6-0 lead with only 1:43 elapsed.

A low snap led to a missed conversion kick, and another kicking miscue, this time a 25-yard punt off the shin of North punter Kevin Goessling, that gave the South possession at the North 49, helped the South get on the scoreboard.

Hughes threw an 18-yard completion to Riley St. Clair (Dana Hills) to help the South advance to the four-yard line, and Austin Borchard (San Clemente) converted a 22-yard field goal that halved the deficit with 6:34 left in the first half.

The score remained 6-3 at halftime and the North utilized more special-teams play to take command in the third quarter.

After the South’s first offensive series stalled at its own 11, North defensive end Anthony Walton (Anaheim) dived to block the subsequent Borchard punt from the South end zone.

The ball caromed out of the back of the end zone for a safety to up the lead to 8-3.

The North took over on the ensuing free kick at its own 42 and used just six plays to drive 58 yards for a touchdown.

Strazicich completed four passes on the scoring march, including a 50-yard touchdown pass and run to Aaron Martinez (Esperanza), who got behind the South cornerback and beat the pursuit to the end zone.

Strazicich then threw to Ed Pleasant on a fake from kick formation for the two-point conversion, putting the underdogs up, 16-3, with 7:18 left in the third quarter.

The South went three-and-out on its next possession, but Orange Coast College-bound Saul Cantoran (Santa Ana Valley) intercepted a Strazicich pass at his own 24 and bolted 41 yards to the North 35 to give the Rebels new life.

After a run gained nothing — which was often the case as the South rushed for 65 yards on 22 attempts — Reilly shuffled out of the pocket, set his feet and hit Rishard Matthews (Saddleback) in the near right corner of the end zone for a 50-yard touchdown. Borchard’s PAT made it 16-10 with 2:05 left in the third period.

But the South couldn’t cash in on a Hunter White (Edison) interception and the North scored again to put the game out of reach.

Newport Harbor High product Mike Calabrese, the Newport-Mesa and Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year, showed well at both tackle and end for the South.

Calabrese frequently penetrated to apply pressure on North quarterbacks, though he did not collect a sack.

Hughes credited the North defensive line for helping frustrate the South offense.

“Their linemen were quick and has such good technique, they were able to penetrate,” said Hughes, who was sacked twice, but finished with 12 yards on seven rushing attempts.

Strazicich finished 13 of 20 for 110 passing yards and was Offensive MVP.

Brian Beaudette (Newport Harbor) started at right guard and played most of the way, while Matt Redding (Estancia) played receiver and London Sapolu (Costa Mesa) contributed for the South at defensive end.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at [email protected].