By David Sharp

   Hannibal HS running back Jacob Saxon scored two touchdowns for the West All-Stars during a 22-14 win for the Missouri and Iowa team.

   The West all stars controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football, capturing the third annual KHQA Do or Die Bowl. The high school all star contest was held June 23, 2007 at Quincy.

   Both sides turned the ball over in the first half. The West team recovered an East all star fumble on the East 43 yard line. Jacob Saxon capped the short field drive with a three yard plunge at the 8:13 mark of the first quarter. The kick failed and the West team led by six points.

   The East all stars represented the Illinois portion of KHQA television’s coverage area. Macomb HS produce Myers Hendrickson raced 81 yards for an East touchdown with 36 seconds remaining in the opening period. Cody Crum’s kick put the East team ahead by a 7-6 margin.

   Joe Donahue (Hamilton HS) caught a 26 yard pass from Rushville-Industry product Tyler Crum with 11:09 remaining in the second period for a 14-6 Illinois side lead. The score was set up by a fumbled kickoff.

   South Shelby HS alum Aaron O’Laughlin hammered home a score from three yards out at the 9:13 mark of period two. Clark County HS product Carrington Daniel released from his tight end position and caught a two point conversion pass, tying the score at 14.

   Missouri-Iowa drove the football to the six yard line, but saw their scoring chance thwarted when Stephen Tonry (Jacksonville Routt Catholic HS) picked up a fumble and raced inside the Missouri-Iowa 20 yard line late in the first half. The West team played good defense all night and kept the game tied going into halftime.

   Rain began falling during intermission. Showers intensified during the third quarter. The West siders powered from their 23 yard line deep into East territory.

   Jacob Saxon dashed 24 yards to pay dirt at the 4:05 mark of the third quarter. Hannibal HS all-stater Andrew Bergeson raced from his quarterback slot for the two point conversion putting the West team on top by a 22-14 margin.

   A rock ribbed West team defense stalled the subsequent East side drive forcing a punt. The snap was mishandled, setting up the West on the East 26 yard line. Andrew Bergeson raced to the 16 yard line on fourth down and seven yards to go.

   The Illinois team stepped up and stopped Missouri-Iowa on the 15 yard line at the 10:21 mark of the fourth quarter. The teams exchanged punts. Hannibal HS grad Zach Hinds intercepted a pass in his end zone, keeping the exciting game at 22-14 in favor of the West.

   The West team was stopped around the 35 yard line, but a personal foul penalty with 1:30 remaining in the game denied Illinois possession.

   Keokuk HS grad Ryan Helenthal raced to the Illinois 14 yard line for a game clinching first down. Clark County HS quarterback Brock Egley downed the football, bringing down the curtain on a very good football game.

   Highland HS running back Adrien Clay had a 31 yard run in the second quarter. Game statistics were not available at press time. Knox County HS graduate Caleb Shubert participated in about four plays, including an open field tackle on a kickoff.

   Clark County linebackers Calem Lipper and Brad Ferrell played well for the West. Carrington Daniel played tight end and defensive end for the Missouri-Iowa team.

   Carrington Daniel had at least one catch on the same drive as the second Missouri-Iowa scoring march. Jesse Lorigan represented Clark County HS at receiver. Brock Egley rotated with Andrew Bergeson and Mark Twain HS product Jonas McBride at quarterback.

   Illinois MVP awards were presented to Myers Hendrickson (offense) and Avon HS grad Marcus Ruff on defense. Hendrickson’s 81 yard run set a new Do or Die Bowl record.

   Jacob Saxon won the Missouri-Iowa offensive MVP award. Eric Murphy recorded three quarterback sacks, and earned the West Defensive MVP award. Saxon and Murphy graduated from 2006 Class 4 football runner up Hannibal High School.