It was a tale of two halves at the 37th annual Kiwanis Senior
All-Star Football game, as the North Bay League erased a 7-0
deficit to post a 36-7 victory.
It was the second straight win for the NBL in the series.
The yearly meeting between the top graduated seniors from the
Sonoma County League against their North Bay League counterparts,
now known as the Richard Bigham Memorial All-Star Game for the
late, long-time event organizer was a bittersweet ending to a
successful high school football career for some 80 participating
athletes.
An estimated 1000 fans filled the stands at Santa Rosa’s Ernie
Nevers Field on a chilly night to witness what may be the last
organized football game for many of the participants.
The West County was represented by 2010 grads; was represented
by Analy grads; wide receiver Chris Bostock (injured, did not
play), wide receiver Ryan Beretta, kicker Sal Torres, and linemen
Brandon Riebli, and Robert Leon. El Molino All-Stars included
tight-end/linebacker Dakota Lerner-Ross, and running
back/linebacker TJ Monticello.
The game was a defensive battle of attrition for much of the
first half, with both teams advancing the ball deep into enemy
territory only to come up empty.
The SCL drew first blood with just 16 seconds left in the first
half when Casa Grande safety Allan Vargas picked off a pass,
setting up a 10-yard touchdown scamper from Gaucho running back
Kahlil Keys. Torres added the PAT boot and the SCL led, 7-0 at the
break.
The NBL floodgates opened after intermission, as Montgomery
quarterback Max Heller led his team on four straight scoring drives
to open up a big lead. Austin Shull would ice the contest in the
second half, returning a punt 55 yards for a score, and then adding
a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown for the eventual 36-7
victory.
