Athletic McPherson Leads Florida Stars

Adrian McPherson of Bradenton Southeast High, the only athlete ever to be chosen as Florida’s Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball, put on an impressive display of athleticism Saturday to lead his team to a 17-14 victory over California in the second CaliFlorida high school all-star football game at UC Santa Barbara’s Harter Stadium.

McPherson, a 6-foot-4, 180-pounder who will play football and basketball at Florida State, completed 14 of 21 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions, to earn most-valuable-player honors before about 3,000.

McPherson’s first touchdown pass, which measured seven yards, was tipped by defensive back Dominic Robinson of Diamond Bar before landing in the hands of Craphonso Thorpe near the back of the end zone.

His second was a 24-yard strike to a wide-open Jaworski Pollack and, including the ensuing extra point, gave Florida a 17-7 lead with 10:20 to play in the third quarter.

California narrowed its deficit to 17-13 on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Matt Leinart of Santa Ana Mater Dei to Charles Ealy of Palisades, but failed to score again after Bryan New’s conversion kick.

Hart High, led by quarterback Matt Moore, defeated Mission Viejo in the final of the 38-team CaliFlorida Bowl state passing tournament.