North Shines In Battle Of Florida

Domination was word in The Battle of Florida as the North team scored 27 first-quarter points as they wiped out the South team 51-3 at FAU Stadium on Saturday night. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be a competitive game between some of the top seniors that have just finished their college careers. It was also a match that involved Bobby Bowden(North) and Howard Schnellenberger(South), two of the most recognized head coaches that led Florida-based colleges. The first possession of the North was led by former Glades Day and Jacksonville quarterback Josh McGregor who led his team down the field. Florida State running back Jermaine Thomas finished off the 11-play, 85 yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give the North a 7-0 lead at 10:17. The South followed going three-and-out. McGregor again drove the North across the gridiron and ended the drive on a one-yard sneak for a touchdown at 6:40 to increase their lead 14-0. The drive took eight plays for 55 yards in 3:06. The North held the South to another three-and-out as former St. Thomas Aquinas and FIU quarterback Wes Carroll was unable to generate any offense in the South's first two possessions. The North continued to dominate the first quarter as Florida State running back Ty Jones launched himself over the top of the pile for a one-yard touchdown with 2:17 left in the first quarter for a North 20-0 lead. The drive went seven plays for 64 yards in 2:38. The South punted again and De'Andre Presley of Appalachian State returned the ball for a 65-yard touchdown and a 27-0 lead for the North. Chris Hart of the South fumbled deep in his own end at the beginning of the second quarter. East Carolina quarterback Dominique Davis struck on his first play in the game as he found Florida State wide receiver Bert Reed in the middle of the end zone on a 21-yard touchdown pass to widen the gap 34-0 at 14:43. The North added to lead less than four minutes later as Nick Cattoi of Central Florida kicked a 41-yard field goal. With 2:05 left in the second, Boca Raton and Wisconsin cornerback Antonio Fenelus intercepted a pass in the end zone in front of the hometown crowd. It was one of the few positive notes for the South in the first half. Things didn't change in the second half as the South went three-and-out on their first drive. On the third play of the North drive, former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia found Louisville receiver Josh Bellamy wide open down the right side for a 60-yard touchdown reception and a 44-0 lead. On their next possession, Kevin Elliott of Florida A&M caught a 24-yard reception from Garcia for a score at 5:01 to continue the onslaught 51-0. There was a running clock for the remainder of the contest. The South broke the shutout with 12:43 left in the fourth quarter as Alan Gendreau made a 32-yard field goal. Josh McGregor won the MVP award for North completing 11-of-12 passes for 123 yards and rushed for one touchdown. North Alabama linebacker Marcus Dowtin took the honor for the South with seven total tackles.