South Overcomes McKnight Effort
Rhema McKnight piled up more than 200 all-purpose yards for the North, but the effort wasn’t enough as the South pulled away for a 23-10 victory in the Orange County all-star football game before about 5,500 at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.
Running back Robbie Dubois of Mission Viejo High and receiver Akilah Lacey of Westminster each scored a touchdown and Steven Berneking of Aliso Niguel kicked three field goals for the South, which scored all 13 second-half points.
McKnight, the La Palma Kennedy standout bound for Notre Dame, did not score despite amassing 98 yards receiving, 99 yards on kickoff returns and 18 yards rushing. Adam Stayberg of Villa Park scored the North’s only touchdown on a 31-yard reception from Kevin Brown of Orange El Modena late in the second quarter. Nick Coromelas of Los Alamitos kicked a 46-yard field goal for the North.
Berneking put the South ahead for good when he kicked a 32-yard field goal early in the third quarter to make it 13-10. Less than three minutes later, Lacey scored on a 10-yard pass from Colt Brennan of Santa Ana Mater Dei to give the South a 10-point edge.
The North leads the series 22-18-3.
