East ends skid vs. West all-stars

By JIM REESE
Published December 11, 2005

TAMPA - Quarterback Chip Bowden of Durant hit Tampa Bay Tech's Andre Patrick on a 16-yard scoring strike with 56 seconds left to give the East a 16-13 comeback win over the West in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday. It was the East's first win after four straight losses.

Held to just 30 yards rushing in the opening half, the East controlled the ball after halftime, pulling within 13-10 when Bowden scored on a twisting 25-yard run midway through the fourth. On the previous play, the West was called for roughing the passer on fourth down.

The West overcame an early 23-yard field goal by Mike Verbosky of East Bay when Robinson's Marcello Trigg, the Class 3A state player of the year, connected with Jesuit's Hunter McCrory on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Robinson's Delbert Alvarado then kicked a 36-yard field goal, his first of two in the game from that distance, to increase the West lead to 10-3.

"When I saw Jason (Brown of Plant City) covered, I fired it to Andre. It felt great to come back to win," MVP Bowden said of the last-minute play.

Brown put his team in position to score when he returned a punt 32 yards to the West 17 with 1:24 left.

[Last modified December 11, 2005, 02:15:36]