HIGH DESERT ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME; NORTH NO-NAMES AID MOBLEY : NORTH QB CREDITS HIS TEAMMATES.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Quarterback Justin Mobley of Antelope Valley High played the game of his life in Friday's second annual High Desert all-star football matchup. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 198 yards, ran for 125 more and accounted for all three North touchdowns in a 25-15 win over the South at Palmdale High.

But Mobley had a lot of help, some from unexpected sources.

Joe Manning, like Mobley one of the game's high-profile athletes (both are headed to New Mexico on scholarship) came through with eight catches for 151 yards, including a 39-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown that put the winners ahead to stay. Manning also had a key interception.

But Mobley praised unheralded teammates from small schools as the difference-makers.

``I think what set us apart were the guys from Paraclete, Desert and Bethel Christian,'' Mobley said. ``They played exceptional. This game got them some respect that they didn't have going in. But they have some now.''

Paraclete's Peter Cich intercepted Highland quarterback Camy Smith's shovel pass in the second quarter, leading to Mojave's Victor Oceguera's 26-yard field goal that gave the South a 10-0 lead. On the interception Smith was heavily pressured by Paraclete's Josh Foster.

Bethel Christian's Travis Alkire, who made a name for himself in eight-man football as a running back (rushing for 1,900 yards and 26 TDs as a senior), played defensive line and helped limit the South to 44 yards rushing.

Meanwhile, Desert defensive backs Leon Napoleon and J. Derrick McGill won their first-ever high school football game after going 0-30 in three years at the Edwards Air Force Base campus.

Mobley's 198 yards passing (14 for 21) was a personal-best, surpassing his Antelope Valley-record 148 against Valencia in the Division II playoffs last year.

``That's a lot of yards,'' Mobley said. ``We went to the air a lot and just opened it up. Plus, Joe Manning did what I expected him to do.''

After Palmdale's Jason Anderson's 3-yard touchdown run gave the South a 15-10 lead late in the third quarter, Mobley and Manning went to work.

Mobley hit Manning on four straight passes for 11, 15, 2 and 39 yards for the touchdown.

Down 18-15, the South still had momentum, especially after Palmdale's Imad Rodriguez's 45-yard kick return started the next drive at the North 36. Three plays later Anderson hit Smith on an option pass for 23 yards to the two. However, a foolish unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play was dead backed up the South 15 yards and out of easy scoring position. Three plays later Manning intercepted Smith.

The next series Mobley found Manning for 14 yards on 3rd and 10 from his own 20, then 43 more yards to the 1, setting up Mobley's second short rushing TD.

Mobley connected on 10 of his last 11 passes.

North tailback Michael Woods (Littlerock) led all running backs with 51 yards on 10 carries.

For the South, Smith completed 8 of 15 for 145 yards including a 30-yard TD to Rodriguez. Quarterback Eric Holtfreter (Quartz Hill) was 6 of 14 for 130 yards. Palmdale receiver Horacio Diaz caught three passes for 99 yards.

NORTH 25, SOUTH 15

North.......0, 10, 0, 15-25

South.......0, 0, 15, 0-15

N-Mobley 3 run (Oceguera kick)

N-FG Oceguera 26

S-Anderson 3 run (Brown kick)

S-Rodriguez 30 pass from Smith (Diaz pass from Smith)

N-Manning 39 pass from Mobley (Griffith pass from Mobley)

N-Mobley 1 run (Oceguerra kick)

RUSHING-North: Mobley (Antelope Valley) 11-125; Woods (Littlerock) 10-51; Newton (Littlerock) 4-12; Mannick (Antelope Valley) 5-9. South: Holtfreter (Quartz Hill) 3-20; Perez (Palmdale) 3-16; Anderson (Palmdale) 9-12; Payne (Rosamond) 1-0.

PASSING-North: Mobley (Antelope Valley) 14-21-1 for 198.South: Smith (Highland) 8-15-2 for 145; Holtfreter (Quartz Hill) 6-14-1 for 130.

RECEIVING-North: Manning (Antelope Valley) 8-151; Castrellon (Littlerock) 2-21; Vasquez (Antelope Valley) 1-22. South: Niemeyer (Palmdale) 5-87; Diaz (Palmdale) 3-99; Rodriguez (Palmdale) 2-23.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO North's Nakia Mannick gets taken down during High Desert All-Star game.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

BOX: NORTH 25, SOUTH 15 (See text)