by Staff Writer J. Facey

The High Desert Football Coaches Association 12^th Annual High School All-Star football game was held at Pete Knight High on Friday night with Coach Brett Pape’s White team coming away with a 16-6 victory over the Maroon team coached by Kevin Nadonza.    

The HDFCA All Star game uses proceeds from the game for charitable organizations. Over the years the game has raised nearly $20,000 for worthwhile causes including the Tommy Conrad Memorial Scholarship fund which is used to assist football players from Antelope Valley College who are moving on to four year schools.  

Representing the Desert Scorpions, Antelope Valley Antelopes, Mojave Mustangs, Boron Bobcats, Lancaster Eagles, Desert Christian Knights and Paraclete Spirits, the White team drew first blood with a field goal kicked by AV Highs Brett Lloyd at 7:28 of the first quarter.  From there both teams defenses dug in and the first half ended with the score 3-0 White.    

With players chosen from the Quartz Hill Rebels, Palmdale Falcons, Pete Knight Hawks, Littlerock Lobos, Rosamond Roadrunners, Highland Bulldogs, and Vasquez Mustangs, the Maroon team was unable to produce any points until late in the fourth quarter when the White team had already built a 16-0 lead.

The first touchdown of the game didn’t come until late in the third quarter when Lancasters Tyree McGowan intercepted a pass near midfield and returned it 55 yards to put the White team up 9-0.  Brett Lloyd picked up a fumbled snap on the PAT and drop kicked it perfectly through the uprights but the officials, appearing somewhat confused, eventually ruled the play dead and voided the extra point. 

Early in the fourth Deserts Brandon Lowe picked off a pass deep in the Maroon teams territory and two plays later Paracletes Jerry Kelly banged it into the end zone from the 8 yard line putting the White ahead by two touchdowns. Brett Lloyd made no mistakes on the PAT this time making the score 16-0 with 11:39 left to play. 

The Maroon team was finally able to get on the board and break the shut out late in the game when they put together a long drive starting on their own 20 picking up four first downs on the strength of several big gains by Highlands Doug Barnside and Palmdales Ron Scott.  With 5:03 remaining Scott punched it across the middle from the 3 yard line for the touchdown.  The missed two point conversion attempt made the final score 16-6 White.