East Defeats West, 14-3, in All-Star Football Game : Football: Serra High back Jerald Henry races 72 yards for game-winning touchdown. He is game’s leading rusher with 119 yards.

It is not unusual for high school football players to compete on both sides of the line, but by the time their college careers begin, most must decide to concentrate on one or the other.

Serra High’s speedy running back and cornerback Jerald Henry made his decision when he agreed to play defense at USC in the fall. But after his performance Thursday night in the West Torrance Lions Club all-star football game, Trojan coaches may want to reconsider.

Henry carried seven times for a game-high 119 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown run, as the East beat the West, 14-3, before about 1,000 fans at El Camino College.

Henry’s run excited the crowd, which endured nearly three quarters of scoreless play.

After Redondo kicker Derek Gonzalez put the West ahead, 3-0, with a 28-yard field goal, the East took over on its own 27 with 1:37 remaining in the third quarter. After two short gains, Henry took the handoff, dove over right tackle and sprinted up the sidelines, avoiding a last-ditch tackle attempt by Inglewood’s Derek Hopson near the 30-yard line.

On the West’s subsequent drive, San Pedro’s Herb Whitaker intercepted a Dan Sanchez pass, giving the East the ball near its own 30. Eight plays later, Serra’s Alex Marcelin connected with Mary Star’s Brian Bologna on a 55-yard touchdown pass to give the East an 11-point lead.

Both teams struggled in the first half and each wasted several scoring opportunities.

Forced to punt on the game’s opening drive, the West caught a break when Hopson recovered Shawn Parnell’s mishandled return. The West took over on the East 24, but two plays later, Rolling Hills’ halfback Robert Coulter fumbled and Whitaker recovered.

Using runs by Morningside’s Danny Katoa and a 20-yard gain by Henry, the East moved to the West 35. The drive stalled, however, and ended when punter Brett Ostergard went down after a fumbled snap.

The East had two more time-consuming drives but failed to score and the teams went to intermission tied, 0-0.

Coulter led the West with 26 yards in 10 carries and Westchester quarterback Brad Freeman contributed 13 yards. Freeman was 3 of 5 for 25 yards, while Sanchez completed 1 of 3 for 24 yards and an interception.

Katoa finished with 36 yards in six carries and Marcelin completed 4 of 7 passes for 26 yards.