Inaugural ProGrass International Scout Bowl, Everybody was a Winner!
The scoreboard at Braly Stadium might have read South 26,
North 14, but in the view of everyone who participated in the inaugural
ProGrass International Scout Bowl, everybody was a winner.
Friday night’s game concluded three days of combine work and
practices for 81 college and foreign players trying to break through
into professional football. And according to George St. Lawrence,
founder and CEO of the Collegiate Development Football League, who
partnered with ProGrass and EUROstopwatch to promote the game, it was a
great success.
“The intensity level from the kids and the coaches was great this
week,” St. Lawrence said. “They really appreciated the opportunity to
play again.”
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| Former U.S. Marine Zach Bloerman |
U.S. Marine Represents:
The game had great representation. Former U.S. Marine Zach Bloerman played for the North squad and was represented by loyal fans including his wife. The game also was represented Internationally with players from Germany, India, China, Mexico and more. The Game also meant a lot to South head coach Johnny Majors, who choked
back a few tears when the team presented him with the game ball after
the victory.
“It really was very exciting and a lot of fun,” the 77-year old
former Pittsburgh and Tennessee coach said. “It was so invigorating and
rewarding to be around all these great players and coaches this week. I
really think I got a lot more out of this week than I put in.”
The South statistically dominated the game, gaining 413 yards to the
North’s 216 and held North quarterbacks Bobby Cooper and Peter Lalich to
a combined 9-of-32 with two interceptions.
The South took a 13-0 halftime lead on two Jose Maltos field goals and a 1-yard quarterback sneak by James Coy.
The North struck back with two big plays in the third quarter to take
the lead. The first was a 61-yard touchdown run by Logwone Mitz and the
second a 90-yard punt return by Antavian Edison, which gave the North a
14-13 lead with 2:20 left in the third quarter.  |
| Francis Nouvi (White Jersey) |
Francis Nouvi Dussledorf Panthers - Germany represents the North
But the tide turned back in the favor of the South a few minutes
later, when Trent Debraga recovered a fumbled punt at the 3-yard line.
Daniel Borne scored on a 1-yard touchdown run four plays later and the
South had the lead back for good.
The South put the game away when Khiry Robinson rushed 42 yards to
the 1-yard line and then scored himself two plays later with 3:05
remaining.
Former coach and ESPN broadcaster Mike Gottfried, who coached the
South quarterbacks, said he couldn’t have been prouder of not only his
players, but the North players as well.
“The players really had a passion for this,” Gottfried said. “This
game gave these players a chance to play one more game, and who knows
what will come of this? One of these days, the MVP of the Super Bowl
might have come from this game.”
The game was such a success, that St. Lawrence said he wants to bring it back to Florence next year as well.
“We’re most definitely interested in doing the game here again,” St.
Lawrence said. “Everyone was very hospitable and really welcomed us. I
think this year was great, but next year will be even better.”
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