Horner Helps North Win by a Foot, 22-9

Matt Horner wasn’t the only one who got in his kicks in the inaugural High Desert Football Coaches Assn. all-star game Friday night at Palmdale High.

Just the only one whose kicks made a difference.

Horner, who accounted for 47 points with his right foot last season for Paraclete High, kicked three field goals, including two in the second half, to lead the North to a 22-9 victory over the South before about 2,500 spectators at Palmdale High.

A rule adopted for the game that prohibited defenders from rushing on kicking plays didn’t hurt Horner’s cause. But his kicks from 32 yards in the second quarter, 39 in the third and 32 in the fourth were true.

“I just tried to get my leg under the ball,” Horner said.

In a game that lacked exciting plays, a streaker provided the longest and most daring run of the evening, dashing from end zone to end zone in the final seconds of the third quarter while wearing only a pair of athletic shoes.

Tony Walker of Antelope Valley, a multi-threat back who will attend Utah State in the fall, intercepted three passes and was selected the game’s most valuable player.

Walker’s 72-yard interception return in the first quarter gave the North a 6-2 lead.

But it was one of the few times in Walker’s impressive high school career he was upstaged.

“Never saw that happen before,” Walker said of the streaker. “We’re all just out here to have fun.”

Walker’s touchdown atoned for his early miscue that gave the South a 2-0 lead.

With the game scoreless midway through the first quarter, Walker fielded a punt near the goal line and was tackled by Brian Tenorio and Mike Kott in the end zone for a safety.

A minute later, Walker intercepted a pass by Palmdale quarterback Jeremy Coleman at the North 28-yard-line and raced untouched for a touchdown. The extra point failed and the North led, 6-2.

A 32-yard field goal by Horner extended the lead to 9-2 on the second play of the second quarter.

Coleman led the South 66 yards in five plays to tie the game, 9-9.

After being sacked for a nine-yard loss at his own 25, Coleman connected with receiver Will Demps of Highland for a 35-yard gain. Three plays later, Coleman found Palmdale teammate Manny Flores streaking down the right sideline for a 35-yard scoring pass.

Coleman was driving the South toward another score in the final minutes of the half, but Walker ended the drive with an interception at the North 32-yard line.