By Ronnie Hughes
News Sports Correspondent
Newton running back Jace Thomas highlighted the night for the East All-Stars in the Southeast Texas Coaches Association All-Star game to propel East over West 20-0. Thomas rushed for 65 and scored one touchdown in the shutout.
Port Neches-Groves quarterback Ky Walker got East going early and often. Just three plays in, Walker hit fellow teammate Avery Murdock for a 38-yard pass to set up an 11-yard Thomas touchdown run for an early 7-0 lead just three minutes into the game.
West All-Stars went three-and-out on their first possession after Isaiah Pouncy of Central hit Rodney Randle for a loss on the first play of the drive. Just two plays later, Evadale quarterback Logan Hare hit Silbee’s Randy Spikes for a 76-yard touchdown to push the lead to 14-0 in the first quarter with East in total control.
West attempted to put together a productive drive early in the second after Cade Huckabay of Hull-Daisetta showed big play ability with runs of 14, 15 and 10 yards. The drive, however, was stalled after Avery Murdock intercepted West quarterback Justin Harper. Huckabay rush for 81 yards on the night.
Orangefield running back Colby Choate led East to another score before the half to go up 20-0. Choate had four carries for 38 yards and a four-yard touchdown on the drive. East had 181 yards of offense in the first half with West tallying just 72 yards.
Neither team was able to stay consistent in the second half with drives sputtering out just past midfield and never reaching the red-zone. Jamadison Cross of Cold Spring ripped off a couple of big runs for West, but they’d not capitalize on the momentum. East maintained a heavy run attack and ended the night with 191 rushing yards. Choate chipped in 58 yards, and offensive MVP Logan Hare chipped in 42 yards.
Treylon Esprit ended a final West drive after intercepting Justin Harper. Keifer Rains of Lumberton took home the East defensive MVP. Huckabay accounted for more than half the total offense for West and was awarded the MVP with C.E. King standout Victor Gonzalez taking home the defensive award. The victorious East squad amassed over 400 yards of offense while holding West to just 203 yards.