McLee uses All-Star game to hone skills
WASHINGTON – There is no way to simulate in an off-season training regimen what Uniontown running back Kevin McLee did on Saturday night. Not unless you have a summer job as a human bulldozer.
McLee’s yeomen-like performance in the 6th Annual Tri-County Football Classic reflected the painstaking work it takes to play at the college level.
“I’ve been doing more stuff in the off-season than I did during the regular season,” said McLee, a West Virginia University recruit. “I’m in good shape and I was ready for the task.”
McLee earned offensive MVP honors for the South team, despite a 31-21 loss to the North team at Trinity High School’s Hiller Field.
“It was a great experience,” McLee said. “I wanted to get back into the game, get the pads on and get a step ahead on everyone in college.”
As the featured back for the South, McLee carried the ball – and a heap of would-be tacklers on his back – 23 times for a game-high 166 yards.
“I’m used to it,” McLee said. “It was just like during the regular season (with Uniontown). I carried the team; I am a leader and that’s just how I play.”
South head coach Ed Dalton of Trinity did not seem to mind one bit.
“He’s obviously quite a talent,” Dalton said. “Our style of play as a coaching staff is giving the I-back the ball, and Kevin was a perfect fit for what we wanted to do.
“He just ran like crazy.”
McLee ran for three and four yards a clip early on, but it was not until he wore down the North defense when he broke free. His ninth and 12th carries of the game resulted in gains of 23 and 43 yards, respectively.
Though McLee did not reach the end zone, he controlled the pace of the game, as the team’s workhorse – something that is a rarity during all-star competition.
Monessen’s Shawn Martin was the only other frequented South running back with 10 touches.
The strategy showed the South’s desire to win. After surrendering 18 unanswered North points, the South rallied on touchdown receptions from two Jacksons – Monessen’s Brandon and Albert Gallatin’s Maurice.
Maurice Jackson’s touchdown reception from Trinity quarterback Josh Baker gave the South a 21-18 lead – the team’s first since Martin gave the South a 7-0 lead in the first quarter with a 76-yard touchdown run.
Jackson fended off a South defender to make the catch on the goal line.
“He made a great athletic play and posted up,” Dalton said. “That’s what athletes do.”
What would have been the game-winning touchdown with 8:33 remaining was negated by a series of big plays by the North squad. Bethel Park’s Mike Chiapetta set up the North’s go-ahead touchdown after he scampered 38 yards to the South 23-yard line with under two minutes left.
North quarterback Justin Gregula, of Washington, connected with Fort Cherry’s Perry Ivery in the end zone for the game-winner at 1:05. The North’s ensuing drive started with an interception return for a touchdown, as Baker’s errant pass found defensive lineman Tommy Giles, who bowled into the end zone from 30 yards out.
“Football comes down to two or three plays,” Dalton said. “We had one on our side, but they made a few late in the game.”
McLee was equally disappointed with the loss, despite his stellar performance.
“We have a lot of guys that just wanted to win,” McLee said. “It hurts me so bad when you try to take over a game and you come up short.”
The South team trained at Carmichaels High School the entire week leading up to Saturday’s game, as 15 of the 32 players represented 10 local high schools.
Maurice Jackson and McLee were the lone representative from Albert Gallatin and Uniontown, respectively, as Red Raider quarterback Carl Farrell missed the game because of strained hamstring.
Safety Justin Samol and defensive lineman David Jackson were among the Brownsville contingent. Samol recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchback to kill the North’s opening drive.
Most of the South’s offensive line hailed from the Class A Tri-County South Conference, including center Travis Moore, Carmichaels; guard Tim Horvwalt, Mapletown; tackle Andrew Mislo, California; and tight ends Justin Craig and Colby Shrum representing Mapletown and Geibel Catholic.
According to Horvwalt, the Class A players held their own in the trenches.
“It was nice, we had some tough running backs,” Horvwalt said. “But it wasn’t much different. The guys were not that much tougher.”
Also seeing significant action on the defensive side of the ball were Jefferson-Morgan players Bryan Lorence, at cornerback, and Dennis Franks on the defensive line, joined by Carmichaels’ Justin Mattei.
Frazier’s Chris Johnson manned the long-snapping chores, while seeing action at middle linebacker. Johnson helped make three-consecutive stops, including North’s failed fourth-and-one conversion in the third quarter.
Beth-Center kicker Vic Lapkowicz converted one-of-one extra point attempts for the South.
During the halftime ceremonies the Tri-County Football Coaches Association inducted seven members into its hall of fame, including Brownsville coach Don Bartolomucci and former Uniontown mentor Bill Power.