NORTHSIDE’S BROWN AT CENTER OF EAST WIN

CONWAY — Northside’s Hayden Brown was at the center of the offensive explosion for the East in Friday night’s Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star football game. Brown played center and was right in the middle of the East’s 55-14 win over the West in the 62nd All-Star football game at the University of Central Arkansas’ Estes Stadium. Schools are assigned to the East or the West based solely on their conference affiliation. Northside, which is literally one of the westernmost schools in Arkansas, plays in the 7A-Central conference and is therefore on the East team at least this year and next. Brown was part of an offense which amassed 395 yards, the second most points in All-Star game history, and the most points ever by the East. Brown snapped the ball to quarterbacks Jordan Washington of Sylvan Hills and Hayden Lassiter of Warren, and then enjoyed the action. “It was absolutely incredible,” the 5-9, 230-pound Brown said. “I love all the guys on here, they’re all great players. They’re all big, a lot bigger than me.” The East led 42-7 at the half, sparked by Kendriel Johnson’s 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game. The clock ran continuously in the fourth quarter. There was talk on the East sideline and even during the week of trying to set the record for most points scored in an All-Star game, which was in the West’s 62-23 win in 2008. The East also wanted to snap a six-year winless streak against the West. “It was hilarious on the sideline,” Brown said. “They’re a bunch of goofs, but overall we did pretty well. Breaking the drought, that’s more than enough.” The win also allowed Brown and Northside teammate Robert Wilkerson to go out on a winning note. “It’s fantastic,” Brown said. “It was a pleasure to be here.” Washington ran for 54 yards and a touchdown and threw two touchdown passes. Lassiter threw for 117 yards and for three scores. Monta Thomas of Hampton was named the Most Valuable Player after catching four passes for 95 yards and three touchdowns, and throwing a 33-yard pass on a flea-flicker that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Dennis Daniels. One of Thomas’ touchdowns was a weaving 71-yard catch and run for a touchdown as time expired in the first half.

NORTHSIDE’S BROWN AT CENTER OF EAST WIN

LELAND BARCLAY

Times Record | 6/25/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Northside Athletics