By Angela Watts
Managing Content Editor, DigitalSports.com
**Check below the story to see highlights from Friday’s game. There are two separate video players, one for each half. Post-game interviews are at the bottom of the second half clips.**
There are a number of unforgettable images that could easily define Friday’s 4th Annual Northern Region Football Classic.
For starters, the game was held under a gorgeous sky and in perfectly cool, early-summer temperatures at West Springfield High. Then there were the bevy of spectacular plays from members of both teams despite the West’s overall dominance in its 44-23 victory over the East.
Included in that list were two jaw-dropping catches by former Edison standout wide receiver Ben Barber, the West MVP, and two surprising touchdown passes by former Lake Braddock standout wide receiver Keon Robinson, the East MVP.
There was also a 51-yard field goal by East standout Tyler Bitancurt (West Springfield) that sailed through the uprights despite a wobbly hold.
And there were defensive scores by West linebacker Mike Quigg (Chantilly) and defensive end Jamey McClendon (Centreville) and a few blistering hits, the notably of which came via West linebacker Donnell Carpenter (Centreville), who just might have stolen the MVP honors if not for Barber’s antics.
But what the hundreds of fans who piled into the stadium talked about most wasn’t any of that. What caught everyone’s attention was the stickers on the players’ helmets. Though they donned East and West jerseys and pants, the players were asked to wear their own schools’ helmets. And they did — sort of.
But in a show of camaraderie with their new teammates — and of some of their opponents, too — they also represented much more.
Take Barber, for example, whose Edison helmet was also decorated with stickers from Centreville, Hayfield, Robinson, West Potomac, West Springfield and Yorktown.
“This game was about having fun and about representing the Northern Region … and I had fun playing in it,” said Barber, who has committed to Virginia Tech. “For me, I was back out there at my natural position and I just enjoyed being with the guys and with the coaches. And we pulled out the victory, so that made it even better.”
The West, led by rotating quarterbacks Austin Decker (Chantilly) and Billy Samson (Westfield), jumped to a 31-3 at half time and extended that margin to 38-3 early in the fourth quarter on a circus catch by Barber, who went up against smothering East defenders Tim Baldwin and Richard DeMocker of West Springfield and somehow came down with the ball.
The East team rallied with three touchdowns in the final 4:01 of play — including one touchdown catch by Robinson and two more touchdown tosses from Robinson to Robert Byrd (West Potomac) and Josh Earl (Marshall).
“I just asked if I could play quarterback,” said the Shepherd University-bound Robinson, who was listed as a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner. “They told me before the game started that I might be able to a couple of times … and I did and I threw two touchdowns. How crazy is that! But it was was fun. I really enjoyed this game, despite the outcome.
“These guys are all all-stars, so they were easy to play with, and everyone definitely had a good sense of humor.”
But although it was entertaining, particularly Robinson’s pass to Earl as time expired, is wasn’t truly indicative of the flow the game.
The Northern Region Classic, because of its all-star format, has several different rules, including one that states that during the second half of play, a team trailing by 18 points or more that has just scored will receive the ensuing kickoff. That left the East with four consecutive offensive possessions to end the game.
Other rules changes limit defensive formations that can be used, prohibit more than four players from rushing the kicker and require teams to have passed the ball on 50 percent of its plays or more at the end of each quarter.
“The biggest thing about the rules is that you only have three days of practice to teach the kids,” Game Director and West coach Brian Day said. “So you try to put the rules in place to make game fan-friendly, to protect the kids and to make the game itself a better game. There is some great high school talent in Northern Virginia and I think you see that in just how the interest in this game is growing. Plus, we’ve all been sitting home since December so I think we were all itching for some football.
“But we’re really trying to make this game about us — about the Northern Region. And it’s a great thing to be a part of.”
Email: awatts@digitalsports.com
EAST 3 0 0 20 — 23
WEST 14 17 0 13 — 44
HOW THEY SCORED
1st Quarter
9:07 West — Mike Quigg fumble recovery in end zone. (David Skahn kick.)
6:12 East — Tyler Bitancurt 51-yard field goal.
2:08 West — Kevin Carter 11-yard run.
2nd Quarter
9:49 West — Skahn 33-yard field goal.
5:51 West — Ben Barber 12-yard reception from Billy Samson.
0:06 West — David Kruchko 8-yard reception from Austin Decker. (Skahn kick.)
4th Quarter
9:44 West — Barber 18-yard reception from Decker. (Skahn kick.)
4:01 East — Robert Byrd 21-yard reception from Keon Robinson. (Bitancurt kick.)
2:27 East — Robinson 20-yard reception from Kelly Fitzgerald. (Bitancurt kick.)
1:19 West — Jamey McClendon 30-yard interception return. (Kick blocked.)
1:00 East — Josh Earl 30-yard reception from Robinson.
1st Half Highlights
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