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Don Heupel
LIONS CLASSIC: Weiser leads North to 30-10 victory
NORTH TONAWANDA — Eddie Weiser displayed his toughness as an accomplished amateur boxer in his younger years.
On Wednesday, the recent Grand Island High School graduate showed a new level of toughness scoring a touchdown just seconds after receiving stitches in his right hand on the sidelines.
Weiser’s eight-yard scamper to paydirt on the first play of the fourth quarter sewed up a 30-10 victory for the North squad in the 34th annual Kensington Lions Club All-Star High School Football Classic at the Lumberjacks Athletic Complex Wednesday night.
“Scoring that touchdown was pretty awesome,” the Buffalo State-bound tailback said as he grinned from ear to ear after the game. “I told them to hurry up with the stitches. I said ‘tie it up real fast,’ so I could get back out there and help the team. I knew that was probably my last couple plays.”
Weiser got plenty of help from teammates as well. Most notably his high school teammate, Alex Neutz, the Niagara Gazette Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3 University at Buffalo-bound wideout made two incredible catches on the game’s opening drive. The second one, a one-handed snag, was for a 16-yard touchdown.
“I saw (quarterback) Casey (Kacz) was in trouble… so I tried to post up my defender in the back of the end zone,” Neutz explained. “When I saw the ball in the air, my eyes just lit up. I jumped up and the ball stuck to my glove. It was pretty crazy.”
The North continued with its aerial attack on its second drive as quarterback Joe Scibilia (Starpoint) found former Class A North rival Dae’Shaune Clark (Williamsville South) for a 40-yard touchdown strike. Despite a failed extra point, the North still led 13-0.
“Alex’s catch was very good motivation for us and then when Dae’Shaune caught that ball that pumped us up even more,” Weiser said.
The South would get on the board the following possession when Maryvale’s Brooks Estarfaa took a toss around the right side four yards for a score, capping a 10-play drive that included three North penalties and a key fourth-down conversion.
The North would respond, though, as Kacz found Mike Doherty (Kenmore East) on fourth down for a 15-yard scoring hook-up. Weiser set up the touchdown with a key 15-yard run.
As time expired in the first half, Scott Drosendahl (East Aurora) kicked a 25-yard field goal to cut the lead in half, 20-10. Midway through the third quarter, though, Scibilia countered with a field goal of his own and Weiser’s score sealed the deal on the North’s third consecutive victory in the series.
“This is just a great feeling,” Weiser said. “Now I can go on vacation happy.”
EXTRA POINTS: The North awards went to Casey Kacz (QB, Sweet Home, MVP Offense), Shaquille Dudley (OLB, Cardinal O’Hara, MVP Defense) and Zach Weiland (OL, North Tonawanda, MVP Lineman)… The South awards went to Brooks Estarfaa (RB, Maryvale, MVP Offense), Blair Bell (DL, Cheektowaga, MVP Defense) and Jordan Sisti (OL, St. Francis, MVP Lineman)… At Tuesday’s player’s banquet, Mike Doherty (Kenmore East) and Bell were given the Spirit Awards for their respective teams. The award honors a player that impresses his coaching staff during the team’s training camp… Legendary North Tonawanda announcer Dick Grapes was on the mic in the press box that was named in his honor last fall… Niagara Falls resident Victoria Spanbauer sang the national anthem for the sixth time… Tonawanda resident Milt Dickerson is the chairman of the Classic.
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.
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