CLIFF KIRKPATRICK

Staff Writer

ESCONDIDO -- By taking a glance at the rosters of the ninth annual Alex Spanos All-Star Football Classic, an offensive showdown was sure to follow.

And the top players who recently graduated from county high schools delivered.

The North team, comprised of athletes from schools north of Miramar, defeated the South squad, 31-26, in front of 3,011 on Friday night at Wilson Stadium to avenge a loss from last year's contest.

La Costa Canyon High coach Darrin Brown and Steve Sutton of West Hills love the long ball, and their players adapted to the style with ease.

"We have a bunch of good kids who know how to play football," Brown said. "The time we spent together was invaluable. These guys are all competitive and want to win."

But, when the game was on the line, the defense held for the North. The game ended with the South trying to win the game on a final drive. However, its chance was denied on a key sack by Ramona's Sean Wilson and Antwain Spann of El Camino batting a pass away.

"It was tough, the receiver was talking trash and saying he was going to score on me," Spann said. "This was nice to win this in front of the home crowd."

Quarterback John Mende of Oceanside and John Nielson from Mira Mesa used the deep pass to move the North up the field. They completed 8 of 15 passes for 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

They benefited from the speedy wide receivers of Carlsbad's Edward Sullivan and William Buchanon of Oceanside.

"Our passing game opened up and our receivers ran good routes," Mende said. "It's way a lot of fun to win this one. We showed that North County is back."

Sullivan was solid early and caught a 33-yard TD pass in the first quarter. Buchanon's big plays included a score from 27 yards out.

For the South, Coronado's Jeff Taufaasau was consistent by competing 12-of-19, one good for a 20-yard TD pass. Horizon quarterback Cameron Poeschel threw and ran for a score.

However, it was the a double-reverse wide receiver pass by a West Hills trio that highlighted the team's night.

Taufaasau handed off to Josh Cooper, who tossed to Tim Davies. Davies then found Josh Factura for a 33-yard score to tie the game in the first half.

The game turned in the North's favor early in the second quarter when Matt Andre from San Pasqual picked off Taufaasau, and ran the ball into the end zone for a 20-yard return.

Jason Levea of Oceanside put the game away for the North when he recovered a fumble in the third quarter, which led to Buchanon's TD.

Factura was named the offensive player of the game with two touchdown receptions. Andre earned the defensive player of the game honor with his interception return.

Cliff Kirkpatrick can be reached at (760) 943-2315 or at ckirkpatrick@nctimes.com.

7/14/01