#TNFCA All-Star: Memphis Area Prospects Lead West to Victory
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Friday night in Clarksville saw the city of Memphis stand tall, helping the West Squad defeat East in what was a defensive affair from start to finish. Some of the best senior talent in the state competed in the TNFCA…
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Continue ReadingFriday night in Clarksville saw the city of Memphis stand tall, helping the West Squad defeat East in what was a defensive affair from start to finish.
Some of the best senior talent in the state competed in the TNFCA All-Star game on Friday evening with “Bluff City” stealing the show! The collection of talent from the greater Memphis area took over in Clarksville as the main catalysts behind the West’s 14-7 win over the East Squad.
Led by Germantown head coach Gene Robinson, Team West had a bevy of Memphis players make the biggest plays in the game that led to victory as well as take their recruiting stocks to another level with stellar play within an All-Star setting.
From the beginning of the game till the very end, this contest was all about defense as neither team could move the ball with any consistency but that was due to significant defensive talent on both teams.
Early on, Germantown defensive end D.J. Allen D.J. Allen 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Germantown | 2024 State TN and White Staton senior defensive tackle Jaylen Thomas Jaylen Thomas 6'3" | 310 lbs | DL White Station | 2024 State TN made their presence known for the West Team as both Memphis area players constantly played in the East Squad backfield, putting pressure on or sacking the quarterback.
While the East Team did score first by way of a short yard Tyson Wolcott Tyson Wolcott 5'7" | 165 lbs | RB Friendship Christian | 2024 TN rushing touchdown, the West squad was able to answer quickly with an outstanding run by Houston senior running back Damon Sisa Damon Sisa 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Houston | 2024 State TN to tie things up at 7-7.
After both teams produced rushing scores, both defenses locked things down and did not allow another score until very late in the 4th quarter. The East Team had a shot at scoring before the break but Germantown senior safety Taeshawn Jefferson Taeshawn Jefferson 5'9" | 185 lbs | DB Germantown | 2024 TN picked off quarterback Evan Schwarzl Evan Schwarzl 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Walker Valley | 2024 TN in front of the end zone to halt any scoring.
That lack of scoring would continue in the second half as neither team could budge against either defense nor find any successful recipe to generate points.
The East Team tried to ramp up their passing attack but Jefferson intercepted them again, stopping another hopeful drive. It was a challenge all night to throw the ball for both teams and a lot of that was due to the big men in the defensive trenches.
The defensive front seven on both squads dominated this game and controlled the line from beginning to end. The East team received strong performances from senior D-linemen Evan Poticher Evan Poticher 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Northview Acad. | 2024 State TN and Clayton Harris Clayton Harris 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Upperman | 2024 State TN as well as state champion linebacker Jamarion Farrior Jamarion Farrior 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB South Pittsburg | 2024 State TN that kept the West offense in check for most of the night until the 4th quarter where Germantown running back B.J. Blake B.J. Blake 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Germantown | 2024 State TN started to break loose.
The Red Devils ball carrier displayed several good runs throughout the night but the 4th quarter is where he started to cook. Blake broke off multiple good runs that put his West Squad in position to score then after a few missed plays into the end zone, the Memphis area product took the carry, ran hard towards the goal line then jumped over the defenders into the end zone for the winning score.
It was an outstanding drive from the West Squad late in the 4th to push them ahead but they had to play defense for 13 more seconds to pull in the win. East tried some last second heroics but their effort fell short as the West Squad would go on to the seven point victory.
This All-Star game was a great opportunity for the players in attendance to show out among other top talented prospects and push their stocks further towards possible college offers. I believe tons of guys did that with success as you will see in our upcoming top performers article.
The TNFCA All-Star week also concluded another great season of high school ball here in Tennessee but the work never stops, so stay glued to PRZTN for further content on our senior class as well as the future talent within the Volunteer State.