[7/18/03]MADISON Defense ruled the night Friday at the 54th Bernard Blackwell All-Star Football Classic.

The North all-stars held the South to 174 total yards and 29 rushing yards forced three turnovers, and held off a last-ditch drive to preserve a 10-6 win.

The North only had 215 total yards, most of it through the air. Quarterback Jeremy Young of Provine was 8-for-24 for 164 yards.

“It’s a team deal. It was good all-around. But I love how the defense stepped in and made it that kind of a game, not an offensive showdown,” said former Warren Central star Tyler DeRossette.

DeRossette and Andrew Patten, WC’s fearsome linebacking duo, spearheaded the North’s defensive effort despite switching positions to defensive end.

DeRossette had five tackles, including two for loss, while Patten had three tackles and three quarterback hurries.

Neither had played end before Friday’s game, but both said the new position was easy to adjust to.

“Me and Andrew play with a lot of heart. We can probably play from anywhere,” DeRossette said. “This was our week to show it, instead of just saying that we can.”

Patten and DeRossette weren’t the only Warren County players to switch positions. Vicksburg High offensive lineman Paul Gorney, normally a center, played most of the game at left tackle for the North.

Gorney didn’t start, but entered the game on the North’s second series and played the rest of the way.

“I just had to keep more on technique, more on working on pass blocking. Since we passed at Vicksburg, I can pass block pretty darn good,” Gorney said.

Late in the first quarter, Patten pressured South quarterback Kethonne McLaurin of Collins, helping cause an interception that led to the first points of the game.

Lafayette’s Jeffrey Dukes intercepted the floater at the South 39, and three plays later Young hit Marshall for a 38-yard gain to the 1-yard line. Provine’s Greg Clark scored on a 1-yard run on the next play to give the North a 7-0 lead.

The South got on the board in the third quarter with a 16-play, 70-yard drive capped by Cody Hull’s 1-yard TD run with 3:38 to play in the third quarter. The extra point was no good, though, and the North defense made the score hold up.

The South didn’t get a first down on its next three possessions, and turned the ball over on downs at its own 31 with about three minutes to play. That led to a 40-yard field goal by Southaven’s Kevin Dowell that put the North ahead 10-6.

The South had one last chance, but self-destructed after moving to the North 32 with about two minutes to play. A sack and two fasle start penalties forced a third-and-27 situation from near midfield and ended the threat.