North defeats South in all-star game
Trinity’s Nick Moretti speeds past Frazier’s Timothy Carson, catching a touchdown pass from Forrest Cullings to put the South All-Stars up 6-0 in the first quarter of the 19th Annual BeeGraphix Football Classic Saturday at Waynesburg High School stadium.
Moments after scoring a touchdown, Trinity’s Nick Moretti switches to defense and intercepts a pass from Avella’s Santino Paris that was intended for Washington’s DeQuay Isbell in the 19th Annual BeeGraphix Football Classic on June 13 at Waynesburg High School stadium.
McGuffey’s James Duchi sprints past Belle Vernon linebacker Jeremy Indof and scores to tie the game for the North All-Stars at the 19th Annual BeeGraphix Football Classic Saturday at Waynesburg High School stadium.
Beth Center’s Nico Brown bursts past Burgettstown defender Jimmy Reedy, advancing a handoff from Trinity’s Forrest Cullings in the 19th Annual BeeGraphix Football Classic Saturday at Waynesburg High School stadium.
Beth-Center’s Nico Brown is met by Charleroi defensive end Jake Lemmon in the 19th Annual Beegraphix Football Classic Saturday at Waynesburg High School stadium.
WAYNESBURG – For the first time since they began their football careers as children, Beau and Bray Jackson appeared ready to split up and go their separate ways to pursue their academic and athletic careers.
The two West Greene football players started for the Pioneers since their freshman season and Saturday night’s Tri-County Football Coaches Association’s BeeGraphix Football Classic at Waynesburg High School might have been the last time the two appeared together in a competitive football game.
Beau Jackson had decided to attend Waynesburg University, where the 6-0, 225-pounder was going to play at linebacker.
Bray Jackson was deciding between Slippery Rock, Ashland University in Ohio and Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, W.Va., to pursue a career in athletic training. The thought of breaking up a good brother team was too unthinkable so Bray Jackson decided to also attend Waynesburg University, which will use the 6-0, 210-pounder at linebacker.
James Duchi of McGuffey scored two times on the ground and quarterback Jonathan Spina of Washington scored on a sneak from 1-yard out to help the North to a 19-12 victory over the South in front of a large crowd at Waynesburg.
Nick Moretti of Trinity had three interceptions for the South and classmate Forrest Cullings completed 10 of 27 passes for 208 yards and two TDs. Cullings and Moretti were offensive and defensive MVP for the South. Duchi and linebacker Connor McGinnis of Peters Township received the honor for the North squad.
Malik Wells of Washington had 5 receptions for 109 yards, with two catches setting up TDs.
To play in this game, the Jackson brothers made the 75-minute trip to Charleroi High School, where the four practices for the game were held this week.
Both quickly agreed when asked to play in the game.
“I was looking forward to the competition,” said Beau Jackson. “These are big, quick, physical kids.”
Bray Jackson said testing yourself against better competition is appealing because it makes you a better player.
“You aren’t playing against kids from other schools like yours,” said Bray Jackson. “You play against the best players those bigger schools have to offer.”
The South built a 12-7 lead at halftime, thanks to two touchdown passes from Cullings. The first one covered 88 yards when Cullings found Moretti behind the North secondary for an easy TD in the first quarter. Cullings later found Noah Rullo of Monessen in the back of the end zone from five yards out with one second remaining in the half.
The North held a 7-6 lead in the second quarter when Santino Paris of Avella found Wells for a 49-yard reception to the eight. Two plays later, Paris hit Duchi for the score.
Paris was 4 of 7 for 100 yards and an interception.
Moretti had two interceptions in the first half.
Wells had a strong first half with 3 receptions for 78 yards.