Local gridders shine for Shriners

WALTHAM – A group of seven local football players took to the Bentley University gridiron as teammates on Saturday for the Shriners All-Star Classic.Nick Bona (Fenwick), Liam Gillis and Matt Millett (Marblehead), Sean Lovett (St. John?s), Jordan Manthorne (St. Mary?s), Chris Tinkham (English) and Isaiah White (Beverly) joined forces, helping the North squad to a 27-18 victory.For Bona, the recipient of the Daily Item Player of the Year award, the win represents another highlight in a senior year that featured a perfect season, punctuated by a Division 5 state championship.?It was an awesome experience playing in a game that raises money for such a great cause,” said Bona, who anchored the Crusaders on offense and defense from the quarterback and defensive back positions, respectively. “This definitely wasn?t your typical all-star game. Both teams played to win and that?s what football is all about. Everybody was on the same page out there.”From strictly a defensive standpoint, Bona made seven tackles, none bigger than a second-quarter stop on fourth and one that saw the speedster break off the left end to force a turnover on downs. The South trailed 13-6 at that point.Tinkham, the Item?s Defensive Player of the Year, finished with three tackles and echoed his teammate?s sentiments.?It was such a pleasure getting to play for the kids over at Shriners that this amazing event is put together for,” explained the Bulldogs? dual lineman. “We really came together as a team in our two weeks together. It?s just a magical feeling. I really don?t know how else to explain it.”After quarterback Drew Belcher (Reading) hit Cody Demers (Central Catholic) for a 6-0 lead on its opening drive, the North turned to its defense that impressed, with Gillis proving a vital piece.The Magicians? linebacker made three tackles before John Spears (Pingree) picked off a Spencer Tyler (Dennis-Yarmouth) pass.?It was an absolute honor to get the start and I was fired up on that first drive,” explained Gillis. “Our coach came in on the first day of practice and told us this wasn?t just an all-star game. It?s played for a special reason but we wanted to win.”Gillis finished with four total stops while Millett?s one touch went for a 12-yard loss after the South?s defense snuffed out an attempt at a double reverse.The North?s ensuing drive began with White?s first rush, a bruising bust through a hole on the right side of the line to the 12-yard line. Frankie Williams (BB&N) scored from the goal line shortly after; the PAT made it 13-0.White would rack up 40 yards on five carries in addition to a one-yard reception and an impressive 15-yard kickoff return.?It?s a special feeling to get out on the field as teammates with kids that you played against in the high school season,” said the Panthers? tailback. “The chemistry was great and the game was a lot of fun to be a part of.”A Tyler touchdown pass to Rory Donovan (Cardinal Spellman) preceded a pick-six from Mike Abbruzzese (Natick), which cut the South?s deficit to 13-12. Belcher followed with a score on a keeper for an eight-point halftime lead.A five-yard strike from Belcher to Khaneil Bruce (St. Clement), late in the third, proved the difference as the South would score just once more on a long ball from Kyle Winieski (Mansfield) to John Fadule (Wellesley) with 2:08 remaining.Belcher and defensive end Dillon Guthro (Newburyport) received MVP honors for the victors while running back Dylan Oxsen (Plymouth South) and defensive end Luke Morrison (Attleboro) took home the plaques for the South.