PUBLIC SHINES AT SHRINE THREE VICTORIES IN A ROW OVER PRIVATE ALL-STARS.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

WALNUT - Local players did the area proud at the 54th annual Shrine Classic all-star football game Saturday night.

In a game matching the best Southland graduates from public schools vs. private schools, many of the key plays came from participants from the San Fernando, Conejo and Santa Clarita valleys. The Public team won 42-23 in front of an announced crowd of 5,200 at Mt. San Antonio College.

Agoura's Cory Smits was among the most impressive performers for the Public team. He completed his first eight passes and finished 9 of 10 for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yarder to Canyon's Dejon Negron.

Smits also threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Upland's Brian Haith, who finished with three receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns to earn offensive MVP honors.

Public receivers Shane Morales of Valencia and Ryan Wolfe of Hart of Newhall also performed well. Morales finished with four receptions for 69 yards, and he also booted a 48-yard punt from his own end zone late in the game. Wolfe caught four passes for 59 yards - all in the first half - including a 35-yarder.

Negron finished with two receptions for 57 yards.

For the Private squad, Matt Abbey of St. Francis of La Canada completed 14 of 25 passes for 142 yards, and Chris Turner of Chaminade of West Hills completed 7 of 18 for 71 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown. Sean Conway of Crespi of Encino added a 29-yard field goal and two PATs.

Smits completed his first eight passes in the first half and finished 8 of 9 for 140 yards and two touchdowns to help stake a 28-14 halftime lead.

Smits' first pass was the 45-yard touchdown to Negron. He followed a few minutes later with the 3-yard scoring strike to Haith on a perfect fade route.

Burroughs of Ridgecrest's Karsten Sween started at quarterback for the Public team. He completed 5 of his first 6 passes for 77 yards, then was intercepted by Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks' Chauncey Fagan, who returned it for a 29-yard touchdown with 17 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Fagan's return cut the deficit to 28-14.

Sween finished 11 of 17 for 200 yards and one touchdown.

In the first half, the Public team amassed 262 yards - 225 passing, 37 rushing - compared to 130 for the Private team.

The victory gave the Public a 3-0 series advantage since the format was changed in 2002.

Winning coach Jim Benkert of Westlake, who also won the Shrine Classic in 2000, is 11-1 as all-star coach in various events over the past 16 years.

Private running back Daniel Jenkins of St. John Bosco of Bellflower had a game-high 46 yards and one touchdown in seven carries.

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com