Fantastic Finish to Charitable All-Star Football Classic

There's nothing quite like a big time spring football game. 

About 80 of the finest football players from around North Jersey gathered Tuesday for the 2013 Paul Robeson All-Star Football Classic, and this year it was an instant classic. The West blocked a field goal as time expired to win 13-12.

Senior football players from Essex and eastern Passaic County comprised the East All-Stars, and seniors from Morris, Sussex, Warren and western Passaic counties formed the West All-Stars.

Not only did the game feature some of the best football talent New Jersey has to offer, it also attempted to give back to a charitable cause.

“We started reaching out to the area schools in February,” said East Manager Ken Trimmer. “There is some great talent out there. After we pay our bills and set up our funding for next year’s game, all proceeds go to the Special Olympics.”

The MVP of the game had to be Justin Maksimow of Mount Olive for his performance at wide receiver for the West. Maksimow made a couple of catches and paid for them by taking big shots from the East defensive backs.

Down by six in the fourth quarter, West quarterback Rob Myers of Pompton Lakes launched a 40-yard pass that was batted around then snagged by Maksimow, who ran the ball into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

“That ball wasn’t thrown to me,” said Maksimow. “I came across and got close to the play. The defenders went up, the ball was tipped and it fell into my hands. Then I thought – ‘Run.’ ”

On the final possession of the game the East was driving down the field and got right into field goal range. They ran the ball one last time to try and get a bit closer but the West’s Elvis Romero of Wayne Valley laid a monster hit in the backfield that backed the East up. The field goal attempt was blocked, and the West went wild.

“We knew we needed to block that because their kicker is really good,” Romero said.

Romero made a huge hit on one of the final plays of the game that pushed the East field goal attempt back three yards.

“I jumped the snap on that play, the guard pulled, I was right there in the kid's face and rocked him. I’m here representing the defensive tackles of Wayne Valley. We breed defensive tackles up there.” 

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