PENSACOLA, Florida —If points were given for all defensive plays, the Max Emfinger All-American East-West Bowl Game at Pensacola High School's Jim Scoggins Stadium Friday night might have been even closer than the 14-10 final score might indicate.

Spectacular hits from both squads—many for losses, aggressive pass rushing and steady secondary defense with disciplined lateral pursuit punctuated the first half and led to a 14-3 West lead at the break. The West was outscored 7-0 in the second half but held on to win 14-10.

The only score in the second half was a West fumble recovery in the end zone by Blake Norwood of Pensacola for the East defense. Both offenses were quarterbacked by Baldwin County (Ala.) signal callers Maison Taylor of 6A Foley High and Colby Simmons of 5A Gulf Shores High.

Simmons and Taylor are undecided about some scholarship offers so far and are hoping to get additional or better confirmed offers from the Emfinger game exposure.

“I’m just grateful to everybody who helped me and for the invitation and the chance to play again,” Simmons said. “I just love this game and hope I can keep playing football somewhere. I had a kind of frustrating year, but I stuck with it and I believe I can be a good player for the right team if they give me the chance.”

Taylor also has had interest in his talents expressed as well, but no full-ride offers yet. “First of all, I hate we (East) didn’t win tonight, but just getting to meet so many guys from around the country and work with them has been a great experience. It’s been a lot of fun. And like Colby, I appreciate this opportunity. It means a lot.”

Emfinger, who has been recruiting players for the game for nine seasons now, said the primary objective is educational opportunity for all the athletes — many of whom have college-level ability, but missed getting noticed.

“You never know who might be in the stands or see our film. And one of the biggest benefits for these guys is getting to know other coaches and players. This is about networking, or the beginnings of it, for them. They deserve the opportunity to keep playing, especially when there are so many college programs out there that need the players, but don’t know where or have the means to go out and find where they are. That’s what we try to do, but the most important thing is for them to continue their education and take it all the way to graduate and get that degree.”

PHS head coach, Mike Bennett, who led the East team and has led the Tigers to two recent 3A state high-school titles in Florida agreed, “Making contacts,” he said. “That’s a big part of all this as well as having fun and getting that education. I told these guys the first day to just look around at the other guys and said, One of you or some of you are going to be working for, or working with each other one day. Or you could walk into an interview and somebody you met here or met because you were here, tonight, could be on the other side of that table. So I encourage them to get to know other, stay in touch. Forming these bonds can take you far and teach you a lot about life, business, teaching and coaching. I love what I do and I want all of them to know how rewarding that can be, too, no matter what it might be. Whatever (they) go into. It starts right here and it’s such a pleasure to help teach and be a part of this with young people like this. This is a great group.”

Both West touchdowns were scored in the second period. Texas running back, Josh Cleveland of Del Valle High in Austin burst off-tackle for a 61-yard rushing TD and Hezekiah Randolph of Parkview Baptist, La., finished an 80-yard West march with a 2-yard dive. Cleveland had a 57-yard run and Simmons also found Jonathan Hendrix of Batesville Ark., over the middle for a big-first-down to keep that series alive on a third-and-22 situation following a 12-yard tackle-for loss by Daphne, Ala., defensive end Elliot Williams.

Joshua Davis of Evangel High in Shreveport, La., kicked the 27-yard field goal and the extra point for the East. Alexandros Koulpasis of Plaquemine Parish, La., took care of point-after kicks for the West.

After Pensacola High’s Norwood recovered the third-quarter fumble in the end zone for the only East touchdown, the East still trailed by four points going into the final quarter.

East defensive lineman Bobby Evans of PHS made his 6-foot, 5-inch, 370-pound presence known in the West backfield often and appeared to have forced a punting situation with a loud crash-test collision deep behind the line of scrimmage. But with college rules in play, an excessive celebration call put the ball back in the West’s control. Simmons then led the West All-Stars down to the 18 yard-line of the East before facing a fourth-and-5. But Simmons’ last pass attempt was deflected at the six yard line by PHS linebacker Roderick Wood to give Taylor and the West offense one more shot with 3.33 left on the clock and 82 yards to go.

Taylor connected with Fairhope’s Devin Odom twice on the drive (three times in the game), Greensboro receiver Darryl Campbell for a 42-yard gain while Spanish Fort running back Sammy Tolbert also helped the East’s All-Stars to get to the 30-yard line in West territory before the drive stalled with 63 seconds remaining. On a fourth-and-five, Taylor was forced to scramble and launched a 40-yard Hail Mary which was just out of reach of a leaping Campbell in the endzone. Simmons then took a knee to run out the clock,

Southwest Alabama players listed on the game roster included Fairhope’s Dre Ervin (cornerback), Odom (slot), Casey Ray Simerly (DE), Bryan Bell (CB); Baldwin County High’s Andre J. Cox (slot); Gulf Shores’ Tyler Sellers (CB); Jaxson Steele Cales (FS), Brandon Stuart (OLB ) and Thrisstan Cornell (WR); Spanish Fort’s Kylan Cotton (CB) and Grant Curtis (OG); Foley’s Kevin Jones (WR), R.J. Hulse (OL), Michael Valdez (OL), Willie Dennis (CB) and Nate Cole (DE) Daphne’s Anthony Blackmon (FS), Williams (DE), Trey Rembert (CB) and Horace Johnson (WR) along with DHS offensive linemen Robert Alexander and Ashton McQuitery. Mobile players include Andrew Bailey (OG) of UMS-Wright and Barry James (OC) of Davidson.

Fairhope’s Bell almost turned the tables in the first half when he picked off a second-period pass in the endzone and ran it back 103 yards. But the play was called back for pass interference. Davis also punted well for the East and pinned the West inside the 10-yard line three times (inside the 5, twice).

The game was originally set for play in Daphne but was moved to PHS two days before the game, Emfinger said. Alabama High School Athletic Association rules require a sanctioning process by board vote including a written notice of request.

"Thank goodness for coach Bennett, the superintendent and all the folks here at Pensacola," Emfinger added. "They rescued us."

AHSAA rules and by-laws are available online at www.ahsaa.com