South wins 51st Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Classic in shootout

WINDBER — In front of a packed house at Windber Stadium, the 51st installment of the Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Classic may have been arguably one of the best in the game's rich history.

Quarterback Mercury Swaim of Bedford connected with Portage's Kaden Claar for a 43-yard touchdown with 1:44 left in the game to lift the South past the North 42-35 in what was a dandy of a high school football showcase.

"Being able to coach my guys one more time and my son, really meant a lot to me," said South coach Matt Grohal of Windber. "I could retire from coaching right now and this would be the exclamation point on my career. I couldn't ask for a better night to be with six of my (Windber) kids.

"What a crowd. I've never seen a Lantzy crowd like this ever. It was a beautiful night for football. The stars aligned, just the perfect night, for sure."

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What it means

It was the final high school football game for these standout athletes, many of whom will go on to compete at the next level.

Key plays

The North took its first lead of the game, 28-27, with 12:47 left in the fourth quarter. Matthew Whysong of Chestnut Ridge scored on a 35-yard burst.

The South responded with an 8-play drive capped off by River Valley running back Angelo Bartolini's 3-yard TD run. Swaim hit Conemaugh Township's Jackson Byer for the two-point conversion and a 35-28 advantage with 9:04 left.

It took the North four plays to respond and tie the contest. Richland signal caller Kellan Stahl found Hollidaysburg's Justin Wolfe for a 46-yard strike with 6:47 remaining.

However, Grohal and the South stuck to its bread and butter ground game to churn out yards, before Swaim hit Claar for what proved to be the game winner.

"We wanted to implement my offense, and having Logan (Kent) and Kaden (Claar) at those wings, they do a lot of the same similarities and it was very beneficial for us with our install," Grohal said. "Those guys had a great game. All of our skill guys were phenomenal tonight. Mercury (Swaim) and Bo (Swartz) both played lights out. I was just blessed. I drafted a pretty good team, I think."

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By the numbers

Kent was the star of stars on Friday. The Conemaugh Valley tailback rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a 15-yard TD, and threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Windber's Keith Charney. He was named South offensive backs MVP.

Kent was not slated to play offense at the start of the week. He and Windber's Nick Dom switched positions at practice early in the week, which proved to be a great decision by Grohal and his staff.

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"I hate defense. Anytime I can get a player of his caliber on offense, I will," Grohal said. "Nick Dom would have been phenomenal on offense as well, but both guys wanted to switch sides of the ball.

"Logan had a great week of preparation. He's very deserving of winning that award."

Swaim went 13 of 18 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He tallied 63 yards on the ground.

Charney, a Cal U recruit, had three catches for 98 yards and the score. It was a special night for the Rambler playing one final game on his home turf.

"It was just a fun time playing with new guys," he said. "It was great to come out and compete. Everyone on our side, I love all of them and would do anything for them."

Stahl, who will play at Washington and Jefferson, completed 19 of 27 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. He was the lone quarterback on the North.

Whysong caught six passes for 150 yards and a score to go along with 35 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Wolfe added seven catches for 107 yards and a TD.

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Unsung heroes

Windber cornerback Dylan Tomlinson drew a tough assignment against Whysong. He got beat for a touchdown, but bounced back and played a top-notch game, including eight solo tackles to lead the squad. Tomlinson was named South defensive backs MVP for his efforts.

"The connection we all had as a team from the time we started camp was great. Everyone was hanging out and spending time together," Tomlinson said. "I enjoyed it so much. "I had a tough assignment, but I had to step up for the guys. I let one up early on, but I had to bounce back. I've always learned to bounce back from adversity."

They said it

Somerset's Ethan Hemminger was named North defensive backs MVP. He recorded seven total tackles to top the North squad.

"It was a fun night, lots of offense," Hemminger said. "The coaches told me (Friday) that they needed me for the run game because they (South) were going to run jet sweeps. I stepped up. All the coaches knew what I was capable of and put me up to the test."

Note: Dom won the David Rizzo $500 scholarship.

Scoring summary

First quarter

S - Logan Kent 8 run (Dylan Tubbs kick), 0:06

Second quarter

N - Hobbs Dill 24 run (Jack Moyer kick), 10:30

S - Kent 6 run (Tubbs kick), 5:11

N - Mello Sanchez 18 pass from Kellan Stahl (Moyer kick), 2:44

S - Kent 15 pass from Mercury Swaim (Tubbs kick), 0:07

Third quarter

N - Matthew Whysong 30 pass from Stahl (Moyer kick), 11:06

S - Keith Charney 42 pass from Kent (kick blocked), 9:44

Fourth quarter

N - Whysong 35 run (Moyer kick), 12:47

S - Angelo Bartolini 3 run (Jackson Byer pass from Swaim), 9:04

N - Justin Wolfe 46 pass from Stahl (Moyer kick), 6:47

S - Kaden Claar 43 pass from Swaim (Tubbs kick), 1:44

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: South scores late to edge North in Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic