Game wraps up a Classic week in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS South Carolina State running back Coty Martin ran for two touchdowns and his East teammates held up defensively to score a 20-10 victory over the West Monday night in the inaugural Historically Black Colleges and Universities All-Star Classic in New Orleans. The game capped a week of workouts, interviews and seminars for the 96
senior HBCU stars aimed at preparing them for life after college football. The game is the
brainchild of 11-year NFL veteran, Richard Harvey, who brought together a host
of black college and NFL alums and veteran coaches to pull it off.
"I think there was an opportunity for these players to be mentored and to learn," said Harvey at halftime of the game. "Ultimately, these guys (former NFL players and coaches) reached out and now they're giving back and everybody is going to be a winner."
Representatives from 31 of the 32 NFL teams as well as CFL and Arena League scouts attended Friday's timing day and workout.
"We've had great participation from the NFL," Harvey said. "This year kind of set the tone for where we want to go. And as we grow, we're going to continue to provide the opportunity that these kids need."
In the game, Martin may have done the most to boost his stock, rushing for 52 yards on 21 carries and returning two kickoffs for 67 yards. He was named the game's most outstanding offensive player.
Bowie State's 6-3, 335-pound DT Bruce Banks, a constant presence in the West backfield, accounted for six tackles and 2 1/2 sacks for the East and was named the defensive player of the game.
The 96 draft-eligible seniors represented 43 of the 45 HBCUS that play college football. The East team was made up primarily of players from the CIAA and MEAC while SWAC and SIAC players were most of the West squad.
Fort Valley State kicker Andrew Jacas got the game's first points when he converted a 46-yard field goal following a short drive led by Livingstone QB David Melton in the first quarter.
Martin got his first score later in the
quarter, breaking three tackles en route to a a three-yard TD
run to put the East up 10-0. The West got its only first
half points on a 41-yard field goal from Grambling
State placekicker Brian Morgan 5:49 before the break.
Martin brought back the second half kickoff 47 yards to set up the East near midfield. With Florida A&M QB Ben Dougherty at the controls, the East drove to the West 13-yard line before settling for Jacas' second field goal, a 30-yarder that put the East up 13-3.
Delaware State lineman Brenton Davis recovered a mishandled snap from center on the West's ensuing possession setting up the East at the West 34. From there Dougherty utilized Martin, Elizabeth City RB Carlos Smith, Howard RB Jay Colbert and Texas College RB Jonathan Combes to get it close before Martin covered the final seven yards. Jacas' PAT increased the East lead to 20-3.
Southern quarterback Thomas Ricks led the West to its only touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. He completed passes of 35 yards to Alabama State WR Reginald Glover and 32 yards to Kentucky State WR Gordon Miles before hooking up on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jackson State receiver Christopher Jones, who made an acrobatic one-handed catch to bring the West within 20-9. Morgan's PAT produced the final margin.
Veteran NFL assistants Willie Shaw (West) and Milt Jackson (East) served as head coaches for the two squads. Among black college and NFL alums participating as coaches were Eddie Robinson (Alabama State), Lewis Tillman and Robert Brazille (Jackson State), Kenny Burroughs (Texas Southern) and Torrance Small (Alcorn State). Head coaches Deondri Clark (Shaw), Wade Streeter (Miles) and Lamont Massey (Edward Waters) also worked with the players and coaches.
"I could care less whether these kids make it to the NFL," said Harvey earlier in the week. "We're teaching them how to become professionals. These are skills they can use in whatever career they pursue."
© 2005 Azeez Communications, Inc.