Highland Lakes players ball out in all-star game

CAPTION: Marble Falls linebacker Noah Lyon reacts to catching an interception, the contest’s first turnover, while his East teammate Reid Leinneweber of Wimberley (14) and Llano’s Tate Morgan celebrate. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The first Hill Country Coaches Association all-star football game had all the elements fans want – a close game, defensive stands, explosive offensive plays and everyone appreciative to have a contest in May to cheer on their favorite players one more time.

The East defeated the West 21-14 May 17 at Texas Stadium in Wimberley with a heavy influence of Highland Lakes players, who suited up for the East, providing many of the plays that caused fans to stand up and cheer and encouraged their teammates to continue to make plays.

“It was fun,” Burnet center Johnathan Ryder said. “I’d do it again.”

The West scored on its first offensive play on a very long touchdown pass from inside its 15 for a 7-0 advantage that held up until the final 3 minutes of the half.

The East scored on a run by Fredericksburg quarterback Brooks Immel, where he used a fake handoff to Burnet athlete Marcus Pimentel, to fool the defense for a 7-7 tie.

With under a minute left in the half, Marble Falls linebacker Noah Lyon got the game’s first turnover, an interception near midfield as he dived for the ball. He credited Llano defensive coordinator Matt Anastasio, who coached the East linebackers, for the play.

“Coach A helped me,” he said. “He told me where to look. I could see everything.”

Marble Falls receiver and defensive back Kole Becker agreed.

“It was just coach A,” he said. “He put me in and provided the expertise.”

Llano receiver Carter Bickett then turned a short pass from Immel into a long touchdown that covered about 55 yards for a 14-7 lead at the intermission.

Neither team scored in the third period as the defenses took center stage. Burnet defensive end Noah Billock was virtually unstoppable as he brought chaos to the West offensive line. He had a key sack and Lyon, Becker and Llano linebacker Tate Morgan also had tackles near the line of scrimmage and everywhere else.

Morgan caught an interception near the East’s red zone to start the final stanza and looked to score, running at least 50 yards the other way.

“I was reading the quarterback’s eyes,” he said. “It got tipped. I’m just happy that I caught the ball.”

That simply set up his teammates for another great play.

Sensing this was the pivotal drive of the game, the East went to its ground attack featuring Burnet center Johnathan Ryder and Llano guard Will Landers providing the muscle and Llano running back Trey Mote and Pimentel taking the ball and providing the speed.

Few moments fire up an offensive lineman than to be asked to open holes for the ball carriers, and Ryder and Landers showed plenty of chemistry and trust as they lined up side by side to get the job done.

Pimentel, who caught kickoffs and lined up on the defensive side, too, called playing in the contest a blessing.

“It’s just awesome to be here today,” he said. “I’m blessed to play with these guys. It’s so much fun.”

Once the East lulled the West into thinking run, the East went to the air.

Marble Falls quarterback Colton Minor hit Bickett for his second touchdown, this time from close to the 25-yard line to give the East a 21-7 led with about 9 minutes left in the contest.

But the West refused to give up, responding with a drive of about 10 plays, including converting at least one 4th and long to keep the drive alive. Burnet defensive linemen Ryder and Billock made the West earn every inch as they continued to bring heavy pressure. A catch to the left of the end zone trimmed the deficit to 21-14.

Anticipating an onside kick, Lago Vista’s Brooks Jackson’s sure hands cradled the ball to protect it with about 3 minutes left.

Once more, Mote was asked to run with the ball after a couple of passes in an effort to eat the clock.

“I just knew that I could help my team,” he said. “We did pretty good.”

The East punted with 90 seconds left. But the returner dropped it and Lyon immediately fell on it.

That allowed his teammates to run out the clock and exit with a victory.

“It was cool coming out here and playing hard,” Minor said.

“I tried my hardest,” Billock said. “To play with these guys was a pleasure.”

CAPTION: Kole Becker (left) and Colton Minor are all smiles as the final seconds of the all-star game tick off. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro