ALL-STAR FOOTBALL: BIRMINGHAM STAR MAKES POINT LEADS WEST TO VICTORY WITH THREE TDS WEST 38, EAST 31.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Shunned by college recruiters who deemed him too small, Brian Stuart felt like he had something to prove in his final high school football game - and he played like it.

The 5-foot-7, 174-pound running back from Birmingham High of Lake Balboa rushed for 90 yards and three touchdowns - including the game-winning 10-yard run in overtime - in 15 carries to lift the West to a 38-31 victory in the ninth annual East-West All-Star game Sunday at Birmingham.

``I wanted to make a statement tonight that size doesn't matter. You can't measure someone's heart from the outside,'' Stuart said. ``This was my last chance to show I've still got it even though I've been showing it all my career- and even in the City championship game at the Coliseum.''

Stuart, who rushed for more than 1,600 yards and scored 26 touchdowns last season, also scored on runs of 5 and 25 yards to earn MVP honors for the West.

Without a four-year scholarship, he plans to play at College of the Canyons if a late offer doesn't materialize.

``Brian put it down tonight. With his heart and courage, he should have gotten a ride - he's a Division I player,'' said Birmingham's Kenny Davis, who played receiver for the West. ``The kid really showed something tonight.''

After Stuart's final touchdown, followed by Valencia's Brian Malette's extra-point, the East had four chances to score from the 10-yard line in the tie-breaker format.

After two losses totaling minus-10 yards on rushing plays, Canyon's Will Brogan tried to pass to Canyon's Jeff Shalem in the end zone, but Valencia's Shane Morales tipped the football at the last moment and Shalem couldn't hold on. Then on fourth down, Brogan was intercepted in the end zone by De'von Hall of Cleveland of Reseda to end the game.

``I just jumped as high as I could, and thank God the ball landed in my hands,'' Hall said.

Canyon receiver Dejon Negron was named East MVP after making four receptions for 91 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown pass from Jake Hagedron of Village Christian of Sun Valley. Negron's 47-yard reception in the final seconds set up a game-tying 37-yard field goal by Burroughs' James Cullen with no time remaining in regulation.

``It was good competition out here. When I got that last pass, I figured the game wasn't over after all,'' Negron said.

Cullen, who kicked six field goals during the season, said he never had a chance to attempt one in the final seconds.

``It was fun. I guess I just went through my routine like I've done a million times in practice because once you get out there, it's all instinct,'' Cullen said. ``You can't worry about it.''

For the West, Mario Calix of Monroe of North Hills scored on a 42-yard pass from Venice's Robert Ambers, Cleveland's Julius Killings scored on an 11-yard run, and Malette kicked a 27-yard field goal.

Killings rushed for 35 yards on four carries, and El Camino Real of Woodland Hills' Eddie Gomez added 32 yards on six carries. Granada Hills' Alex Ritthumel completed 4 of 9 passes for 39 yards.

The East scored on a 5-yard run by Trason Bragg of Loyola of Los Angeles, a 28-yard pass from North Hollywood's Will Cowan to Kelly Blatz of Burbank, and a 21-yard run by San Fernando's Raphael Reynolds.

Bragg rushed for 64 yards on 11 carries, and Reynolds added 32 yards on eight carries. Brogan led four East quarterbacks with 69 yards passing on 4 of 13 attempts.

In a preliminary Pop Warner all-star game, a team from Orange County defeated Los Angeles 18-14. Christian Nasto from Northridge was named L.A. MVP.

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com