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West Wins All-Star Football Game

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 9, 2007

TAMPA - The 2007 Hillsborough County Senior All-Star football game at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday was supposed to be a contest involving the top seniors in the county.

Some players, however, couldn't shake the habit of playing as a team, that team being their respective high school.

Hillsborough seniors Chuck Grace and Marc Thomas were responsible for three touchdowns to lead the West All-Stars in a 21-13 win over the East All-Stars.

Grace, who scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half, was also named The Tampa Tribune West Offensive MVP. Listed as a defensive back, Grace said he pleaded with West coach Pat O'Brien (Sickles) to play running back.

"I played running back as a sophomore at Hillsborough, so I was telling Coach 'let me play running back', and he said 'go ahead," Grace said.

Grace, who also played defense, finished with 29 yards on five carries.

"They wanted to run the power formation, but we never blocked it right," O'Brien joked. "Grace made it work."

The West took a 21-3 lead going into the half, mainly off the arms of quarterbacks Zack Grossi (Jefferson) and De'Andre Presley (Middleton). Grossi finished the game 7-for-9 for 131 yards with an interception while Presley went 5-for-6 for 109 yards and also rushed six times for 28 yards. Plant receiver Derek Winter finished with three catches for 45 yards.

Jefferson senior defensive end Max Halloway, who has committed to Boston College, was named the Tribune's West Defensive MVP after recording two of the West's five sacks.

Like they did during the regular season for the Eagles, Brandon duo Samir Baker and Marquel Gilmore led the East team. Baker was named the Tribune's East Defensive MVP, finishing with an interception, while Gilmore was the East Offensive MVP after leading all-rushers with 61 yards on 12 carries.

East Bay quarterback Rex Ballenger closed the deficit to 21-12 when he rushed for an 18-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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