Hampton Roads High School Football Seniors Suit Up For The Final Time At The Prep Level 757 All-Star Football 2018 Classic Games.
With the early signing period now in the rearview mirror, numerous Hampton Roads football recruits took to the field one final time in their high school careers on December 15, 2018 at Powhatan Field – Norfolk, Va. One of the premier high school all-star football game in Virginia, it annually features some of the area’s most notable senior football players in Hampton Roads.
Due to the extravagance and level of impact on the community, some players and coaches use this all-star game as a sales pitches to the college recruiting process one last time. There is the Southside All-Stars team, composed of seniors from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Chesapeake. The Peninsula All-Stars squad, featuring players from Newport News, Yorktown, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Gloucester. The competing players play to win, but also play for the chance to be recognized by college recruiters and have the opportunity to play for a scholarship at some of Virginia’s best universities.
Early on in the game, the Southside All-Stars took the lead at the beginning of the second quarter with a 25 Yard pass touchdown throw by #13 Tasean Jones (QB – Deep Creek) to #7 Shawn Hamilton (WR – Ocean Lakes). The Peninsula All-Stars came back with # 12 Tyriq Henderson’s (QB – Warwick) 31 yards pass touchdown to # 15 Dalon Dixon (WR- Phoebus) for the team and a spark of energy and tension from the audience. For some time, there was no gap between the two teams on the scoreboard throughout a subsequent 24 minutes of action. The two All-Star teams traded early touchdowns and at the end of the first half made it 7-7 at the break.
Starting the second half and making his presence known with a great defensively play, # 19 DeSean Cromwell (DB – Indian river) wowed spectators and his teammates. Southside All-Stars took a 10-7 lead with a 25 yard converted field goal kick by # 9 Gil Cohen of Tallwood on the first possession of the second half. #2 Ramsay Hayyat (QB-York) made a 63 yard pass touchdown to # 3 DaTwon Cox (WR- Warwick) in the third-quarter by the Peninsula. With nine minutes and thirty seconds to go in the fourth quarter, kicker # 9 Gil Cohen of Tallwood kick a 24 yard field goal to bring the Southside All-Star within three points down.
Late in the fourth quarter, #44 Carrington Bowden (Woodside) intercepted the ball and took it to the 5 yard line, 1st and goal for Peninsula All Stars. Peninsula All Stars #22 Fletcher Whalen (Warhill) kicked a 20 yard field goal to take the lead with four minutes and fourth four seconds left in the fourth quarter. On a deflect interception # 11 Zach New (Lafayette) secured the game with one minute and eight seconds to go in the fourth quarter for the Peninsula All-Stars. The final score was 17-13, with Peninsula All Stars in the lead. The game was phenomenal and showcased not only the talent from the two divisions of high school football, but also a peak into what Virginia athletes have to offer. Prospective recruiters were certainly interested in the players’ abilities, and supporters were definitely thrilled with the action. Although the Peninsula All-Stars took home the victory, the Southside All-Stars look forward to challenging them again next season.