Valhalla High senior John Todd displayed a flare for the dramatic.
Celebrating his 18th birthday Saturday Dec. 28, the Norsemen receiver registered a divin’ catch for the game-winning touchdown with seven seconds to play, lifting the American All-Stars to a dramatic 33-27 triumph in the 2nd annual San Diego Football Night Lights All-Star Game at Helix’s Jim Arnaiz Field.
Valhalla High senior John Todd displayed a flare for the dramatic.
Celebrating his 18th birthday Saturday Dec. 28, the Norsemen receiver registered a divin’ catch for the game-winning touchdown with seven seconds to play, lifting the American All-Stars to a dramatic 33-27 triumph in the 2nd annual San Diego Football Night Lights All-Star Game at Helix’s Jim Arnaiz Field.
Facing man coverage, Todd raced straight down the field paced his defender, and then secured a 35-yard pass from Serra quarterback Hunter Correll.
The last-second score offset what everyone thought was a game-winner when Grossmont quarterback Anthony Lawrence propelled the National All-Stars in front with his third TD pass, a 5-yarder to San Marcos’ Isiah Hennie with two minutes to play.
However, Todd responded with his fourth touchdown to win it with an exclamation mark to cap the season. Todd, who finished with eight receptions for 217 yards, was named the game’s most valuable player.
Not bad for a senior who had to endure a campaign with just one victory all season.
“Just to celebrate being in the game, my family planned a barbeque after the game,” noted Todd. “Now it’s going to be some party. “It’s just a great feeling right now.”
The game-winning drive saw Correll convert a pair of fourth-down passes before going over the top to Todd.
Grossmont was the most represented among county schools after being ranked among the SDCIF Top Ten all regular season until an early playoff exit to Carlsbad. Joining Anthony was J.T. Barnes, who caught a 39-yard TD pass in the opening quarter, plus Anthony Alton, Christian Meno and Kalvin Waters.
Mount Miguel product Jovon Richardson also registered a TD among his four receptions.
The seesaw affair was tied at 20-all when Correll hit Todd for a 74-yard bomb to take the lead, but a missed PAT allowed Lawrence to re-claim the advantage before the Correll-Todd combo won the showcase of graduating seniors.
