SPORTS

Locals enjoy North-South experience

Sam Blackburn
Reporter

DAYTON - Chad Grandstaff hasn't had the best of experiences in All-Star games as Zanesville's head coach.

Entering Saturday's Ohio North-South All-Star Classic at Dayton's Welcome Stadium, he had been on the losing end of three straight All-Star games, each leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

A dominant second half made sure that streak ended with authority.

Grandstaff led the South All-Stars to a convincing 49-26 win as a balanced offense led by Game Most Valuable Player Benny Snell, of Westerville South, and Offensive MVP Seth Dawkins, of Columbus Franklin Heights, had their way with an overmatched North defense that failed to keep pace.

The South, led by Snell's three rushing touchdowns, extended a 20-19 lead with two scores to start the second half, including a 7-yard scoring run from Zanesville's Leondre Crosby. Crosby, a first-team All-Ohio linebacker, played defense every series and contributed to the team's short-yardage offense.

A pair of area linemen, Zanesville's Drew Hoskinson and Tri-Valley's Hunter Polk, also played extensive snaps in the trenches. Polk played mostly defensive tackle, but also was used as an H-back as the South salted the game away on the ground.

Zanesville's Leondre Crosby is congratuated by teammates after making a tackle during the first half of the Ohio North-South All-Star Classic on Saturday at Dayton's Welcome Stadium.

"All of our area guys played very well," Grandstaff said. "Leo did what Leo does, and Hunter played well on the D-line and we were able to get him at blocking back. And Drew did real well. We had no errors at center while he was in the game. Their coaches and their community should be proud of the way they represented themselves."

While the North had North Ridgeville speedster Demario McCall, a running back signed with Ohio State, the South had more playmakers, especially at receiver.

Dawkins, a 6-4 receiver signed with Louisville, opened the game with a 99-yard kickoff return and caught a fourth-quarter touchdown. McCall matched him on the ensuing kickoff, but the South's Deeb Haber, of Lewis Center Olentangy, found Lima Senior receiver Ruben Flowers III behind the defense on the next series for an 80-yard touchdown.

Haber also had a 49-yard pass to another Lima product, Rico Stafford, to set up the third touchdown after a North punt pinned them inside the 5.

They were tone-setting plays.

"When you've got guys who are 6-5, 6-4 and 6-4, they can get you out of a lot of jams," Grandstaff said. "Every time we needed to get out of trouble, they made a big play. And the quarterbacks did a nice job of getting it to them."

Polk said the team bonded quickly.

"It honestly felt like family. It was like being back home with my old teammates at Tri-Valley again," Polk said. "I'm pretty sure we're all cool."

Crosby relished in the entire experience, from the hotel stay and meals to the Under Armour apparel. He more than proved he belonged with the top competition, adding a sack and tackle for loss to go with his touchdown, but he admitted trying to get his hands on the greasy fast McCall was a tall order.

McCall was named North Offensive MVP.

"That dude is quick," Crosby said. "He got us all turned around."

Crosby was happy to get in the end zone.

"I wasn't expecting it, because Benny is such a great player," Crosby said of the Kentucky signee. "It was great running the ball and getting behind the hogs."

It certainly pleased Hoskinson, who had a key block on the play.

"Having All-Stars around me made everything a lot easier," Hoskinson said. "This sport has done so much for me and I'm going to miss it when it's gone."

sblackbu@gannett.com

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Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR