Team Stars and Stripes rallies for win in Tazon de Estrellas

Central College

BAJA, MEXICO — Central College lineman Dustin Smith (senior, Marion, Iowa, Linn-Mar HS) blocked a field goal and defensive back Cael Halfman (senior, St. Ansgar) picked off a pass in the first half before Team Stars and Stripes rallied in the fourth quarter to take a dramatic 15-14 win over the Mexican all-star squad in the Tazon de Estrellas Saturday.

Trailing 14-0 heading into the fourth quarter, Team Stars and Stripes found its offense with a 16-yard TD pass from Brady Huber (Illinois College) to Josh Peach (Grove City College (Penn.)) with 9:24 remaining. Getting the ball back with 3:35 to play, Huber lead the Americans on an 87-yard drive, punctuated by a 3-yard TD pass to George Vidas (Lake Forest College (Ill.)) to make it 14-13 with 24 seconds left.

Head coach Don De Waard, Central’s former defensive coordinator, called for a 2-point conversion attempt. The Americans ran a trick play and Matt McDaniels (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) completed a pass to Huber to take a 15-14 lead.

“I told the offense we were going for two and of the course they were excited because they always want to do stuff like that,” De Waard sad.

The Mexican squad still had a chance, but a 51-yard field goal by kicker Luis Meza came up short as time expired, sealing the American victory.

“I made the decision with about nine minutes to go for the win rather than the tie if we were in a position to do so,” said De Waard. “When it works you’re smart, but when it doesn’t, it’s your fault.”

Earlier in the game, Smith blocked 59-yard field goal attempt off the foot of Meza. He also had four assisted tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss. Halfman intercepted a Norman Contla pass in the first quarter and returned it for nine yards.

Also appearing in the contest were Dutch offensive lineman Nick Watson (senior, Janesville) and tight end Jake Wassenaar (senior, Pella).

With the win, De Waard moved his record as coach in the game to 3-1 and Team Stars and Stripes now holds a 4-3 advantage in the series.