Jun 16, 2002 By The 2 min read

McLee named offensive MVP The North All-Stars rallied for a 31-21 victory Saturday night, but Uniontown’s Kevin McLee earned Offensive MVP honors for the South in the 6th annual Tri-County South Classic played at Trinity High School.

McLee, the South’s feature back, carried the ball 27 times for 166 yards to gain the top offensive award.

Albert Gallatin’s Maurice Jackson put the South ahead 21-18 at 8:33 of the fourth quarter when he caught a 24-yard pass in the back of the end zone. Jackson was also the featured kick returner with three returns for 59 yards to go with one yard rushing.

The South opened the scoring in the first quarter when Monessen’s Shawn Martin scored on a 76-yard run and Beth-Center’s Vic Lapkowicz tacked on the extra point.

The North scored 18 unanswered points in the final 16 minutes for an 18-7 halftime lead. Washington’s Justin Gregula found Bethel Park’s Mike Chiapetta for a 23-yard touchdown pass for the first score.

Gregula hit Fort Cherry’s Perry Ivery for an 18-yard score in the second quarter, then found Chiapetta open for an 80-yard touchdown pass with only 18 seconds remaining in the half.

Monessen’s Brandon Jackson put the South back in the lead on a 19-yard touchdown reception with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The South defense was unable to hold the lead, allowing 13 points in the final minute. The Gregula-Ivery connection was up to the task with a 23-yard touchdown pass with 1:05 remaining after Chiapetta’s 38-yard scamper.

Tommy Giles 30-yard interception return with less than a minute remaining capped the victory.

Brownsville’s Justin Samol helped the South’s defense stymie the North’s offense on its opening drive of the game when the defensive back covered a fumble in the end zone for a touchback.