Red rolls to win

In All Star events such as the McDonald's Lehigh Valley Football Classic that was held on Thursday night at Nazareth, team chemistry can be somewhat of a problem.

Trying to mesh together different personalities from different schools, who in many instances considered themselves rivals last fall is most certainly a challenge.

However, a solution to a team chemistry problem can always be solved with a skilled and poised signal caller. The Red squad had just that in Pen Argyl quarterback Conor Gum. Gum dominated from the onset constantly dropping the ball in perfectly to his receivers helping his team get out to a 24-0 lead. The big lead would help the Red squad defeat the Gold 48-19.

Things did not start out well for the Gold squad as they fumbled on the first play of their opening drive. The fumble was recovered by 6-2 340-pound monster Adonis Cannon from Pius X. Cannon and other defensive line mate Kory Cherry reeked havoc throughout the game surging through the middle of the Gold offensive line on numerous occasions.

The Red squad took advantage connecting on a 31-yard field goal by Chris Roubik. The Gold struggled to get anything going in the first quarter, while Gum and company took control.

Gum used the first to throw back-to-back touchdown passes to Liberty wideout Devon Jones on a 26-yard strike and then connected with Nazareth's Andrew Bridgeforth on a 19-yard pass across the middle. Gum was on his game all night and showed why his Pen Argyl Green Knights took home the Colonial League Championship last season.

"Conor came in and did a really good job for us, he's just a great kid," said Red head coach George Melosky. "We actually had two kids that played quarterback who signed up to play, but then dropped out so Conor became our guy. He learned our offense in the two weeks of practice we had and went out there and made some real nice passes."

There were plenty of TIMES NEWS area athletes that competed in this year's McDonald's LV Classic and they were all members of the Gold squad.

Northwestern products Peyton Bachman and Ty Cunningham were solid for the Gold on the evening. Bachman caught three balls for 54 yards, including a 34-yard reception from quarterback Tyler Edmund. Bachman was responsible for the first big play for the Gold and made some nice moves in the process. Cunningham carried the ball three times for 26 yards and also had a nice play for the gold in the third quarter. He received a pitch from Edmund on the near sideline and scooted 21 yards to the Red squad four yard line to put the Gold in scoring position.

"My goal coming into this game was to have fun and try to work together with my teammates the best I could," said Cunningham. "With the speed and talent out here you kind-of have to change your game up a little bit. You have to make reads faster and try to explode everytime you touch the ball. It was definitely a great experience."

Lehighton's Josh Agosto saw a lot of time at quarterback and also scored a touchdown for the Gold. The Gold squad quarterbacks were under duress throughout the ball game, but Agosto was honored to be part of such a talented field of players.

"I don't know anybody that plays football that wouldn't want to play in this game," said Agosto. "It's a fun atmosphere out there and there is certainly a lot of talent on the field. I just wanted to come in and give my all for my teammates."

Pleasant Valley standout all-purpose player Rob Getz was honored before the start of the game. Getz received the Gold team Most Valuable Player award for the hard work and tenacity he showed during the Gold team's two weeks of practice.