Team Stars & Stripes defeats Mexico 32-15 in fourth annual Tazon de Estrellas

December 15, 2012

By Tim Glon

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Team Stars & Stripes scored 15 unanswered points in the second period and went on to defeat Mexico 32-15 in the fourth annual Tazon de Estrellas Saturday afternoon at Fortaleza de Azul.

The Americans evened the series at 2-2 against the Mexican CONADEIP all-stars and won in the head coaching debut of Don DeWaard.

Ohio Northern was represented well by seniors Tyler Joseph, Cody Kelly and Cory Spelman.

Joseph played on the offensive line, Kelly had four tackles at defensive tackle and Spelman had four tackles as a defensive back.

"What a great week," Kelly said. "I was a little but nervous and excited at the beginning. It was a very difficult environment to play in. After the first few series, our defensive line and linebackers were communicating well and I think we did a good job of keeping them in check."

"It was a great atmosphere," Joseph said. "We moved the ball pretty well all game and it was great to get the victory."

"It was a lot of fun," Spelman said. "I was really tired by the end of the game. I was a little nervous early, but we settled down and took care of business with the pick-6 and the blocked punt. What a great week, it is only fitting to finish it with a win."

Jordan Gay of Centre (Ky.) and Tyrone Notice of Framingham State accounted for all 15 of Team Stars & Stripes second quarter scoring.

Notice was named the Team Stars & Stripes MVP by the media.

Gay got the Americans rolling with a 39-yard field goal with 11:44 left in the half.

Three plays later, Notice returned an interception 43 yards for a score and a 10-0 lead with 10:27 left in the half.

On Mexico's ensuing possession, Notice blocked a punt for a safety after Seth Carson of Central (Iowa) and Wisconsin-Whitewater's Jake Hohlstein recorded back-to-back sacks.

Team Stars & Stripes then led 12-0 with three scores in 3:20.

Gay kicked a 26-yard field goal with 2:51 left in the half to extend the lead to 15-0.

"It was a fabulous week and it had a good ending with a solid win" DeWaard said. "The keys were the first half turnovers and the blocked kick for a safety. But we also did a great job of taking care of the ball and by not giving up any big plays. That's how you win football games no matter if you are in the USA or in Mexico. I'm very proud of how our guys represented themselves all week."

Mexico got on the board with a 2a6-yard field goal by Adolfo Medellin with 16 seconds left in the half.

Stars & Stripes took the second half kickoff and marched 69 yards in 11 plays and scored on a 23-yard field goal by Gay to go back up 18-3 with 8:46 left in the third quarter.

Mexico got within 18-9 on a 2-yard run by Salvadore Lopez with 2:19 left in the half, but the two-point conversion failed.

A spectacular, one-handed catch by Ryan Maguire of Elmhurst (Ill.) of a 30-yard TD pass from Joe Furco of Elmhurst extended the lead to 25-9 with 12:30 left in the game.

After the American defense forced a Mexico punt, Stars & Stripes put the game away by driving 58 yards in five plays and scored on an 8-yard run by Kalamazoo (Mich.) with 6:53 left in the game.

The Mexicans wrapped up the scoring with a 1-yard run by Luis Lopez with 3:13 left.

"I am humbled and blessed to be named Team Stars & Stripes MVP," Notice said. " I owe it all to my teammates. This was a complete team win. I just happened to make a couple of plays. On the pick, I just jumped the route and got some great blocks inside the 10 to get into the end zone.

"On the blocked punt, we had practiced that all week and a seem in their line opened up just like coach said it would and I got to the punter pretty quickly and blocked it."

Stars & Stripes out-gained Mexico 336-259 in total offense, including a 197-124 advantage on the ground.

James Clay of Mt. St. Joseph had 61 yards rushing on nine carries to lead TSS.

Merchant Marine quarterback Alex Coviello rushed for 28 yards on six attempts and Salisbury's Joe Benedetti gained 27 yards on three rushing attempts.

Furco was 9 of 16 passing for 139 yards and a score.

Defensively, Wisconsin-Whitewater defensive tackle Jake Hohlstein had a game-high nine tackles, 3.0 TFL and two sacks and Elmhurst's Wayne Tuckson had eight tackles.