Temple University Athletics
Benson, Stars & Stripes Cruise to 83-0 Win in France
3.25.10 | Football
Owl Recruit Scores Touchdown in International All-Star Game
Global Bowl Photo Gallery
AMIENS, France – Temple football signee Wyatt Benson (Philadelphia, Pa.) helped Team Stars & Stripes to an 83-0 shutout victory over the Brussels All-Stars at the 2010 Global Bowl in France over the weekend.
The 6-0, 215-lb. fullback and linebacker from The Haverford School signed a National Letter of Intent with the Owls in February. A team captain, Benson attended the 2009 Al Golden Football Camp. He is a two-time first-team All-Inter-Ac and two-time first-team All-Delco honoree as well as a 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer first-team Southeastern Pennsylvania linebacker and the 2009 Mainline Football Player of the Year. Benson finished his prep career with 663 rushing yards, 217 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns, and 210 tackles.
Led by former Santa Ritz (Tucson, Ariz.) head coach Jeff Scurran, the 36 American high school seniors selected from seven states led by 49 points at the interval against a Belgian team selected from five junior clubs in the Brussels area. Team Stars & Stripes spent the past week on the practice field and sightseeing in Paris and Normandy as part of a cultural and sporting visit organized by Texas-based Global Football.
Quarterback Austin Kevitch (Germantown Academy, Pa.) threw for four touchdowns and also rushed for a score, while running backs Toney Foster (Cleveland Glenville, Ohio) and Tamarin Jones (Santa Rita, Ariz.) each breached the end zone twice on the ground.
"The kids from both teams had a wonderful time," said coach Scurran. "They were mixing on the sidelines immediately after the game, taking photos and talking about the game.
"Showing how much respect and friendship there was between the two teams, they formed a guard of honor for us to run through and we ran through and then reciprocated.
"The score might look like a big score at first, but the Belgian players used it as a measurement of where their game is and to learn some of the things they can do to develop. As soon as the game ended they were asking us questions about technique and how we executed certain plays. The international spirit clearly shone through."
Team Stars & Stripes put points on the board on the first play of the game when Michael Brown (William Penn Charter, Pa.) returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
The Belgians blocked the resulting extra point, but then found the going tough on offense, snapping their first play of the game for a safety and an early eight-point deficit.
The Brussels All-Stars were unable to move the ball against the solid visiting defense and went three and out on three possessions. Team Stars & Stripes took full advantage and surged to a 22-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Running back Foster thought he had ripped off a long touchdown run, but the play was called back for an illegal block at midfield. Team Stars & Stripes responded with a 50-yard touchdown dash by Tamarin Jones and the extra point tagged on by Chris Mayer (Santa Rita, AZ) increased the lead to 15 points.
On the last drive of the first quarter, Team Stars & Stripes moved the ball steadily downfield to score again. Davonttay Jones (Santa Rita, AZ) picked up 20 yards on the ground and Kevitch passed for 12 yards to Shane Belle (Ginn Academy, Ohio). That set up an 18-yard touchdown strike from Adam Larriva (Catalina Foothills, Ariz.) to Phil Tucker (VASJ, Ohio) and a Mayer extra point.
Foster opened the second quarter with his second score of the day on an 18-yard run and a 29-0 lead following the point after by Mayer.
The Team Stars & Stripes defense then took the spotlight, producing two turnovers. Defensive back Luke Buerkley (Somerset, Wis.) returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown and on the Brussels All-Stars team's next possession a forced fumble paved the way for another score.
Defensive lineman Stevie Carr (Cesar Chavez, Ariz.) stripped the ball loose and Rob Wendt (Somerset, Wis.) recovered at the Belgians' 10-yard line. Kevitch stepped in under center to throw his second touchdown of the afternoon, finding Trent Simon (Cienega, Ariz.) for a 42-0 lead.
The Brussels All-Stars produced a promising kickoff return in reply, but then came up short on a gutsy fourth down call, giving Team Stars & Stripes another scoring opportunity before the break at the two-minute warning. Larriva hit Belle and Jones for short gains before penalties pushed the Americans back and away from the end zone. But Kevitch took to the ground himself and rushed for a touchdown and a 49-0 interval lead with five seconds remaining.
The second half opened with the Team Stars & Stripes defense again snuffing out the Belgian challenge as John Gianoni (Erie Cathedral Prep, Pa.) produced an interception that led to Tamarin Jones scoring his second rushing touchdown from 10 yards out.
Fellow running back Foster then gained 25 yards on a punt return to set up a 15-yard Ronnel Spates (VASJ, Ohio) 15-yard ground gain and a five-yard touchdown run from fullback Wyatt Benson (Haverford School, Pa.). Kicker Mayer tagged on his eighth straight extra point for a 64-point advantage.
Team Stars & Stripes were unable to capitalize on a Foster interception as a fumble turned the ball back over to the Brussels All-Stars, but the Belgians failed to convert possession into a first down. William Lubahn (Erie Cathedral Prep, Pa.) fielded the resulting punt and returned the ball 62 yards for a touchdown.
The Americans produced another interception, this time by Cody Halpin (Loyal, Wis.), but were unable to add more points to their tally as the third quarter ended.
Despite the score, the Belgian juniors were still playing with a passion and reveling in the opportunity to test their abilities against a level of opposition they do not have the chance to play regularly in Europe.
In the fourth quarter, Kevitch threw for two more touchdowns to Belle from seven yards out and Spates for 12 yards, while Mayer added one of two extra points for a final score of 83-0.
"This is the best team I have coached in this series of games," added Scurran, who also led Team Stars & Stripes in two Global Challenge Bowls in Japan in 2008 and 2009. "The kids came together very quickly and we had some really big plays to begin with that really set the tone and I think made the Brussels player feel a bit intimidated. But the game was played in a great international spirit."
Team Stars & Stripes will attend an awards dinner on Saturday evening and will return home to the United States on Sunday.
Photos and blogs from the team's visit to France can be found at www.Lockerblogger.com. Additional updates are available at www.Facebook.com/GlobalBowlFrance and www.GlobalFootball.com.
Box Score 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
Team Stars & Stripes 22 27 21 13 83
Brussels All-Stars 0 0 0 0 0
For more information regarding Global Football tours and events, contact Patrick Steenberge:
Tel: 817-219-7274 Email: Patrick@GlobalFootball.com.
All game information and photos supplied by Global Football and Preston Consulting.
AMIENS, France – Temple football signee Wyatt Benson (Philadelphia, Pa.) helped Team Stars & Stripes to an 83-0 shutout victory over the Brussels All-Stars at the 2010 Global Bowl in France over the weekend.
The 6-0, 215-lb. fullback and linebacker from The Haverford School signed a National Letter of Intent with the Owls in February. A team captain, Benson attended the 2009 Al Golden Football Camp. He is a two-time first-team All-Inter-Ac and two-time first-team All-Delco honoree as well as a 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer first-team Southeastern Pennsylvania linebacker and the 2009 Mainline Football Player of the Year. Benson finished his prep career with 663 rushing yards, 217 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns, and 210 tackles.
Led by former Santa Ritz (Tucson, Ariz.) head coach Jeff Scurran, the 36 American high school seniors selected from seven states led by 49 points at the interval against a Belgian team selected from five junior clubs in the Brussels area. Team Stars & Stripes spent the past week on the practice field and sightseeing in Paris and Normandy as part of a cultural and sporting visit organized by Texas-based Global Football.
Quarterback Austin Kevitch (Germantown Academy, Pa.) threw for four touchdowns and also rushed for a score, while running backs Toney Foster (Cleveland Glenville, Ohio) and Tamarin Jones (Santa Rita, Ariz.) each breached the end zone twice on the ground.
"The kids from both teams had a wonderful time," said coach Scurran. "They were mixing on the sidelines immediately after the game, taking photos and talking about the game.
"Showing how much respect and friendship there was between the two teams, they formed a guard of honor for us to run through and we ran through and then reciprocated.
"The score might look like a big score at first, but the Belgian players used it as a measurement of where their game is and to learn some of the things they can do to develop. As soon as the game ended they were asking us questions about technique and how we executed certain plays. The international spirit clearly shone through."
Team Stars & Stripes put points on the board on the first play of the game when Michael Brown (William Penn Charter, Pa.) returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
The Belgians blocked the resulting extra point, but then found the going tough on offense, snapping their first play of the game for a safety and an early eight-point deficit.
The Brussels All-Stars were unable to move the ball against the solid visiting defense and went three and out on three possessions. Team Stars & Stripes took full advantage and surged to a 22-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Running back Foster thought he had ripped off a long touchdown run, but the play was called back for an illegal block at midfield. Team Stars & Stripes responded with a 50-yard touchdown dash by Tamarin Jones and the extra point tagged on by Chris Mayer (Santa Rita, AZ) increased the lead to 15 points.
On the last drive of the first quarter, Team Stars & Stripes moved the ball steadily downfield to score again. Davonttay Jones (Santa Rita, AZ) picked up 20 yards on the ground and Kevitch passed for 12 yards to Shane Belle (Ginn Academy, Ohio). That set up an 18-yard touchdown strike from Adam Larriva (Catalina Foothills, Ariz.) to Phil Tucker (VASJ, Ohio) and a Mayer extra point.
Foster opened the second quarter with his second score of the day on an 18-yard run and a 29-0 lead following the point after by Mayer.
The Team Stars & Stripes defense then took the spotlight, producing two turnovers. Defensive back Luke Buerkley (Somerset, Wis.) returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown and on the Brussels All-Stars team's next possession a forced fumble paved the way for another score.
Defensive lineman Stevie Carr (Cesar Chavez, Ariz.) stripped the ball loose and Rob Wendt (Somerset, Wis.) recovered at the Belgians' 10-yard line. Kevitch stepped in under center to throw his second touchdown of the afternoon, finding Trent Simon (Cienega, Ariz.) for a 42-0 lead.
The Brussels All-Stars produced a promising kickoff return in reply, but then came up short on a gutsy fourth down call, giving Team Stars & Stripes another scoring opportunity before the break at the two-minute warning. Larriva hit Belle and Jones for short gains before penalties pushed the Americans back and away from the end zone. But Kevitch took to the ground himself and rushed for a touchdown and a 49-0 interval lead with five seconds remaining.
The second half opened with the Team Stars & Stripes defense again snuffing out the Belgian challenge as John Gianoni (Erie Cathedral Prep, Pa.) produced an interception that led to Tamarin Jones scoring his second rushing touchdown from 10 yards out.
Fellow running back Foster then gained 25 yards on a punt return to set up a 15-yard Ronnel Spates (VASJ, Ohio) 15-yard ground gain and a five-yard touchdown run from fullback Wyatt Benson (Haverford School, Pa.). Kicker Mayer tagged on his eighth straight extra point for a 64-point advantage.
Team Stars & Stripes were unable to capitalize on a Foster interception as a fumble turned the ball back over to the Brussels All-Stars, but the Belgians failed to convert possession into a first down. William Lubahn (Erie Cathedral Prep, Pa.) fielded the resulting punt and returned the ball 62 yards for a touchdown.
The Americans produced another interception, this time by Cody Halpin (Loyal, Wis.), but were unable to add more points to their tally as the third quarter ended.
Despite the score, the Belgian juniors were still playing with a passion and reveling in the opportunity to test their abilities against a level of opposition they do not have the chance to play regularly in Europe.
In the fourth quarter, Kevitch threw for two more touchdowns to Belle from seven yards out and Spates for 12 yards, while Mayer added one of two extra points for a final score of 83-0.
"This is the best team I have coached in this series of games," added Scurran, who also led Team Stars & Stripes in two Global Challenge Bowls in Japan in 2008 and 2009. "The kids came together very quickly and we had some really big plays to begin with that really set the tone and I think made the Brussels player feel a bit intimidated. But the game was played in a great international spirit."
Team Stars & Stripes will attend an awards dinner on Saturday evening and will return home to the United States on Sunday.
Photos and blogs from the team's visit to France can be found at www.Lockerblogger.com. Additional updates are available at www.Facebook.com/GlobalBowlFrance and www.GlobalFootball.com.
Box Score 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
Team Stars & Stripes 22 27 21 13 83
Brussels All-Stars 0 0 0 0 0
For more information regarding Global Football tours and events, contact Patrick Steenberge:
Tel: 817-219-7274 Email: Patrick@GlobalFootball.com.
All game information and photos supplied by Global Football and Preston Consulting.
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