East Pitches Do or Die Bowl Shutout
East Pitches Do or Die Bowl Shutout
By David Sharp
The Illinois All Stars stopped their Iowa/Missouri opponents three times inside their 20 yard line and cashed in a late first half turnover, taking a 14-0 victory over the West All-Stars in the sixth annual KHQA Do or Die Bowl.
The high school all star football match was held June 25, 2010 at Hannibal High School’s Porter Stadium.
Defense dominated the contest most of the time. Both East touchdowns came in the second quarter.
Quarterback Keanan Gillaspy (Knox County HS) converted two fourth down situations operating out of a Wildcat formation. The Central Methodist University bound defensive back gained 38 yards on seven carries.
Dominic Thomas (Montgomery Co. HS) led the West team in rushing with seven attempts for 47 yards. Stefan Flynn (Illini West HS) led the East, and all rushers with 12 attempts for 49 yards.
Zach Alderton (Clark County HS) hauled in a 33 yard pass from Ryan Cox (Bowling Green HS), setting the West team up on the East four yard line during the game’s first series of downs.
The East defense sacked Cox and later stopped a fourth down pass with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter. The West defense played well, limiting a potent Illinois rushing attack to 93 yards on 34 carries.
The West team won the statistical battle, but could not cash in their scoring chances. Turnovers hurt the West siders. Ryan Cox threw two interceptions while the West lost two fumbles. The East team played turnover free football.
A fourth and two fake punt was stopped by the West defense near the first quarter close. The East team stopped a promising West drive on their 19 yard line with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
Michael Lafferty (Illini West HS) capped an 81 yard scoring drive with a 42 yard touchdown pass to high school teammate Kris Vincent with 5:49 to play in the first half. Trey Yocum (Bushnell Prairie City Avon HS) ran in the two point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
The West all stars averted another score when their defense stopped the East team on their 20 yard line after losing a fumble. Keanan Gillaspy dashed 22 yards, helping get the West out of their territory with under four minutes to play in the second period.
The East defense picked off a pass, stalling another West drive with 1:17 to go in the half on their 19 yard line. The West defense forced a three and out punt.
The ball was muffed. Kris Vincent recovered the football for the East on the West 18 yard line with 44 ticks on the clock.
Bryce Heaton (Jacksonville HS) took a one yard pass from Derrick Hull (Central Southeastern HS) with seven seconds to play in the first half. The two point pass failed, leaving the East all stars with a 14-0 halftime lead.
Michael Lafferty’s 50 yard punt pinned the West back inside their three yard line with 5:28 showing on the third quarter clock. The East team had a golden opportunity to extend their lead with a pass was intercepted.
The East had the football on the West six yard line with 2:27 remaining in the third period. The West defense held firm, wresting the ball back on downs with 52 seconds to play in the period.
The West club drove the football from their three to the East seven yard line but failed to score. Both defenses exchanged stops. The West got the football back on their 18 yard line with 57 seconds left in the game.
The hot and humid evening may have contributed to the lack of second half scoring. The West won the first down battle 17-10. The West team out gained the East 281-236 in total yards.
The spread oriented Missouri/Iowa attack went 18-35 passing with two interceptions and 164 yards. Illinois passed 18 times with eight completions for 143 yards.
Zach Alderton was second on the West team with three receptions for 52 yards. Mason Owen (Clark County HS) had one carry for four yards. Keanan Gillaspy passed eight times for 21 yards on three receptions.
Brad Vogel (Central Lee HS) led all pass catchers with ten receptions for 92 West team yards.
Dominic Thomas was named the Missouri/Iowa offensive MVP. Joe Chinn (Monroe City HS) led the West in tackles with seven and was named the West defensive MVP.
Neal Moon (Clark County HS) and Macomb HS product Anthony Myrick received scholarship awards for leadership and sportsmanship shown during practice sessions and the game. Neal Moon was the starting center for the West offense.
Two time district champion Clark County players Justin Oilar, Neal Moon, Mason Owen, Nathan Alderton, Zach Nixon and Zach Alderton were 2010 Do or Die West All-Starts. Keanan Gillaspy, David Hinkle, Andy Greenley and Travis Hamlin represented 2009 Class 1 Regional Champion Knox County.
Andy Greenley and David Hinkle plan to attend the University of Missouri at Columbia this fall. Keanan Gillaspy and Travis Hamlin will play football at Central Methodist University at Fayette.
