E.A. Sports Today

‘X’ hits spot in North loss

From staff

MONTGOMERY – Steve Smith was right. And so was Exavyer Jackson.

Smith, the Piedmont football coach, said earlier in the week if his senior defensive tackle Jackson was in good enough shape to play, nobody would block him in Thursday night’s 55th North-South All-Star Game. Jackson promised to give it his all in what likely was going to be his final football game.

Jackson played a lot bigger than his 5-9, 265-pound frame in a losing team effort. He had seven tackles, including four for loss, and was credited with a safety in the North’s 20-12 loss in the Cramton Bowl.

The South scored touchdowns on its first two offensive plays – both following North turnovers – and never looked back.

Jestaro Reynolds of Northview hauled in a 62-yard pass from Bryant Horn of Benjamin Russell for the first score and Daphne’s Lane Moss hit Maplesville’s Damian Mitchell with a 28-yard strike for the second.

Jackson’s safety produced the North’s first points. Marion County’s Dorryl Swanigan scored the North’s only touchdown on a 4-yard run in the final minute of the first half.

All the second-half scoring came on field goals. Fairhope’s John Baxter kicked two, including a record 50-yarder. Oneonta’s Tyler Short hit a 30-yarder for the North.

Andalusia linebacker Montel Lee was the South’s MVP (record-tying 12 tackles, 5 TFL, forced fumble). Pickens County running back Jermarcus Brown won the award for the North (7 catches for 135 yards).

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