 Photo by Charles Barlow |
Remember the date of January 3rd, 2012. The date of the very first Semper Fidelis All American Bowl brought to you by The United States Marine Corps and JuniorRank Sports. The game featured 90 of the top high school seniors in the country. Players from all over the United States gathered at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ and put on a competitive game from beginning to end. The players weren't only selected because of their football skills but the men who they are off the field. Character, Academic Excelence, and Leadership are characteristics looked for in a Semper Fi All American and is why JuniorRank Sports and The United States Marine Corps paired up to put on the newest High School All American Game today.
"Through JunoirRank and The Marine Corps every single one of these young men in order just to step on this football field had to be exceptional atheltes, have academic excellence and to be of the highest moral character and have that foundation," said The Sgt. Major of The Marine Corps Michael Barrett.
All of the pageantry of a big game was at Chase Field that day. The National Anthem played by The Marine Band San Diego and a fly over by Military carriers kicked off the bowl. The West team received the ball first and as you can sometimes expect from a all-star game the offense was a little out of sync in the beginning. Both teams couldn't capitalize on their early possesions. With about 4 and a half minutes left in the first quarter East quarterback Phillip Nelson(Committed to Minnesota) connected with Wide Receiver JaQuay Williams(Committted to Auburn) for a 47 yard touchdown pass and catch. The East leads 7-0.
 Photo by Charles Barlow |
On the first 3 possesions for the West team they only combined for 4 yards. In the their first drive in the second quarter they finally found their rythym. Quarterback Jeff Lindquist(Committed to Washington) found a wide open Jaydon Mickens for a 14 yard touchdown and capped off a 96 yard drive. The game was tied at 7. The West would strike again as quarterback Jeff Lindquist led the team down the field again. This time it was a 26 yard pass to Corey Batey(Committed to Vanderbilt) as he beat east defender Donaldven Manning(Committed to Virginia Tech) to help the West take a 14-7 lead. A quick note about Batey, he was the last player selected into the game after Tom Lemming, who was head of the selection chair for the Semper Fi Bowl went to a game in Nashville, TN with Tim McGraw and McGraw recommended to check out Batey.
The following kick off after Manning was beat on the touchdown pass he got a little revenge with a 62 yard kick off return which put the East in great field position with 2 minutes left before the half. Quarterback for the East Nick Patti(Committted to Boise State) was able to convert on a 4th down as he found running back Kye Morgan(Committed to Virginia) in the flat for a first down. After a first down run by Patti, the East faced first and goal. Patti rolled out to his right and found tight end Maxx Williams(Committed to Minnesota) coming across in the endzone. The game would go into the half tied at 14.
As the first half had a lot of offense it was the complete opposite for the second as the offense took a back seat to the defense. Both teams were able to control the line of scrimmage and keep the opposite teams out of the end zone. A couple stand outs for the East Team defensively were linebackers Camren Williams(Committed to Penn State) and Moana Ofahengaue(Undecided). Both when in the game found themselves on the tackle or around the ball. Williams repeatedly stopped running backs in the backfiled and had a pair of nice open field tackles. Ofahengaue stood out as he lived in the backfield as he kept putting pressure on the West quarterbacks. For the West team they were led by a couple of Cal Committs. Safety Zach Hoffpauir and linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. were ball hawks all day. On every run play you would more than likely see Hoffpauir or Nickerson on the play. Hoffpauir made some great open field tackles and got loud cheers from the crowd as he played his high school football not too far from Phoenix in Peoria, AZ. Nickerson may sound familiar as his dad was all pro NFL linebacker Hardy Nickerson.
 Photo by Charles Barlow |
Going into the fourth quarter we were still tied at 14. About midway through the fourth quarter the West was able to march down the field and set up a field goal attempt by kicker Marshall Morgan(Commited to Georgia). Morgan was able to connect on a 47 yard field goal which turned out to be the game winning field goal. The East attempted one last drive to the end zone but an interception by Deontay Greenberry(Committed to Notre Dame) sealed the victory for the West. Both teams met at mid field and congratulated each other knowing they were proud to say they played in the inaugural Semper Fidelis All American Bowl. As the West team was presented the game trophy the East team stood close by to congratulate them. All players showed great sportsmanship and character which proved the message from The Marine Corps and JuniorRank was delivered. As we begin a new year the future looks bright for The Semper Fi Bowl and JuniorRank Sports CEO Shaon Berry knows this game is different than the others and knows it will continue to be different and better than the others.
"It's the disclipline, it's the courage, the leadership, all the intangibles that you look for in a great student athlete. When you look at those characteristics and those values in these young men, it makes the game special and different and one of a kind and were excited about that."
To view both East and West Rosters Click Here.
Written by Terry Schilling
