San Diego all-star team holds off Mexico U19 nationals
- Updated: December 19, 2015
2015 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
By Jim Lindgren
© EastCountySports.com
CHULA VISTA (12-19-15) — Calling it a “great experience,” DAVID TODD JEREMIAH of Christian High completed 7 of 13 passes for 99 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown to Grossmont’s KHALEED DAVIS, as the San Diego Stars and Stripes defeated Mexico 27-21 in the inaugural American Bowl on Friday (Dec. 18) night at Otay Ranch.
The “friendly” game was put together by former Grossmont defensive coordinator Derek Dahlen. It pitted an all-star team of seniors from the San Diego Section against Mexico’s U19 National Team, which trains in Mexico City and will play in the World Championships in China in 2016.
“It was tons of fun,” Jeremiah said. “I made a lot of friends this week. What a great experience.”
Jeremiah’s favorite target at Christian, NICK SEXTON, caught three passes for 59 yards. Fellow Patriot Adrian Petty carried four times for 14 yards.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Sexton said. “It was cool.”
Said Dahlen, “I don’t think it could have gone any better. I’m very pleased. They had a whole lot more in their package. We only had four days to practice.
“For us to put it all together like we did, it was awesome.”
Davis had just the one catch, but his nifty 37-yard touchdown gave San Diego a 20-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Grossmont defensive back Alex Lilliard had three tackles and three pass deflections.
“It was one of my best experiences playing football,” he said. “Definitely a different level of competition.”
Linebacker Chance Colson of El Capitan contributed five tackles and nearly had an interception.
“We took a lot of pride in representing USA, representing San Diego,” Colson said. “It was a great experience.”
Kyle Thompson, also of Christian, punted well, averaging nearly 40 yards per punt.
Of his touchdown pass to Davis, Jeremiah said, “Coach put him in there and said just throw it up to him. He’s a great receiver.”
Former Helix assistant Rey Hernandez and former Grossmont assistant Burt Grossman were part of Dahlen’s coaching staff. Akili Smith, who played at Grossmont College before starring at Oregon and in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, was the quarterbacks coach.
