Big second quarter hoists North past South in Division I-III contest
By Keno Sultan
Stark County Prep Press writer
MASSILLON--Brian Baum had a merrier return to Massillon this time around and it was a merry 12 minutes in the second quarter.
A 68 yard interception return by B.J. Serrano was hugely vital and part of a big second quarter that allowed the North All-Stars to vault past the South All-Stars 24-3 on a warm afternoon at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
A defensive tilt in the first half was finally broken when North kicker Cooper Mizeur connected on a 38-yard field goal to punctuate an 11 play drive midway through the second quarter to issue his team a 3-0 lead.
It got even fortuitous for the North as the defense made an appearance. B.J. Serrano intercepted a pass off a tip and thundered down the sideline untouched for a 68 yard touchdown and Mizeur's extra point kick extended the North advantage to 10-0 with 2:36 before intermission.
The South had three chances from the North one yard line to score but were turned away on three straight chances and turned the ball over on downs.
Baum recalled the two defensive sequences that propelled his team to the victory.
"Serrano was able to jump on the route and they have nice quarterbacks and good receivers and we knew they were going to try and air it out there. He jumped the route, took it and he's a guy who can play both sides of the ball, took the ball from the receiver, made some good moves, he got into the end zone and it was awesome," he said. "Our defensive line was fantastic. They were keeping low and being hard to move. The defensive line, our linebackers were flying downhill and it was fun to watch.
The South was unable to get anything going and were on the wrong track of the game all game long until their second possession of the third quarter when they mustered a 22 yard field goal to close out the third quarter down 24-3.
But today belonged to the North All-Stars. For Mizeur, his tone-setting field goal will be the highlight of his prep career aside from also winning a league title in 2024.
Chris Crooks, a McKinley receiver and defensive back expressed his gratitude for being a part of the win.
He feels that the pride of McKinley was returning as the team won the Federal League with an undefeated record and hung in against a strong Massillon team for three quarters and the future is looking up for the Bulldogs, who were a play away from advancing to the regional final last season.
"The way we got together as a brotherhood today was like how we came together as a team my senior year. We had an entirely new staff this year and I was glad to be one of nine chosen to play in this game today.
For Jadyce Thigpen, his Massillon career will conclude with him being a state champion in football and basketball. From the day he grew up, he wanted to be a state champion for the Tigers and he will matriculate into adulthood knowing he accomplished his dreams and there are more for him ahead in his life
"This feels great today knowing that we haven't beaten the South in five years and playing my last game at Massillon, it always feels great because they always came out and showed love to us," he said. "It's a great feeling and I wouldn't want to end it nowhere else."
For Baum, he felt blessed to have been a part of something special and it is something that he and his players will always be a part of forever as they embark on the path to adulthood.
"They did it today as a team and they can always be proud of that and carry that bond," he said.
Brian Baum had the merriest 12 minutes of his second return to Massillon and it was one worth every bit of success.
Division IV-VII game: South 14, North 14
MASSILLON--The South All-Stars scored on their first two possessions and were poised to bury the North All-Stars early.
But the North All-Star team fought back in the second half on the strength of two touchdown passes to equal up the contest and forcing an overtime session.
The South blocked a game-winning field goal by the North, causing the game to end in a tie.
Zach Slates, a Perry High School graduate and former head coach of the Panthers was selected as an assistant coach for the game. Slates wrapped up his first year at Minerva, which the Lions won three games this year and the future is looking up for a program attempting to get back to when they were a dominant program under longtime general Lynn Molen, who is to many the unarguable face of Minerva football.
"I played in this game as a senior at Perry and being able to come back here and have an opportunity to coach here again is just awesome. I really appreciate it and am always thankful for things like this," he said.
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