By BRENDAN CONNELLY
WALTHAM – Jordan Perdomo could only chuckle in the final seconds.
As the Methuen senior lined up for a game-winning field goal try, he stood still as his opponents attempted to ice him with consecutive timeout calls.
The ploy didn't faze the Framingham State-bound star as he drilled a 33-yard attempt as time expired, giving North a thrilling 25-22 win in the 40th installment of the Shriner's All-Star Classic last night at Bentley University.
“I knew I was just going to make the kick,” Perdomo said. “I just liked how (the South) were trying to get me off my game, but I prevailed.”
It took a tag-team effort by Perdomo and Cathedral's Khalil Blair to rally the North in this one.
Down 16-7 with only seconds remaining in the third quarter, North coach Serge Clivio changed his gameplan. As a way to get Blair going, he decided to put the Cathedral standout in at quarterback.
The move would pay off almost immediately. Using a wilcat offense, Blair would carry his squad up field before punching it in from two yards out to cut it to a 16-14 deficit.
After a 13-yard touchdown reception by Scituate's Abel Lopes Jr. put the South up, 22-14 with 7:51 remaining in regulation, Blair punched right back. He would proceed to break off a game-changing 38-yard rush to begin the ensuing drive.
Facing a fourth-and-10 from the South's 16-yard line, Perdomo dropped back and connecting with Blair for a touchdown with 2:53 to play. Blair would convert on the two-point rush to tie the contest at 22-all.
Then, it was the defense's turn. The North would foil a fake-punt try by the South, setting up Perdomo's last-second heroics.
Blair would be named the North's Offensive MVP, after finishing with 93 rushing yards and two scores in the second half. Perdomo would close the night with two touchdowns through the air, one of which went to Everett's Anthony Norcia to open the game's scoring.
It was the final game of Clivio's long coaching career. But to end it in the manner he did was just how the Arlington Catholic legend always wanted it.
“I think this,” Clivio said. “This, the excitement of this game, and the comeback, being ahead, going behind, and then coming back. And then going down with three timeouts, them trying to ice the kicker, then (Perdomo) clears it right through the middle, it was great. It's just great football. And so much fun. It was fun to play, it was so much fun to coach. The kids were outstanding. You get to coach kids who like to play high level football, it's an honor.”
NORTH 25, SOUTH 22
South 0 8 8 6 — 22
North 7 0 0 18 — 25
NO — Anthony Norcia 31 pass from Jordan Perdomo (Perdomo kick)
SO — Shane Cooney 3 pass from Jacob McCarthy (Ike Irabor rush)
SO — Steven Silvia 16 interception return (Ryan Riordan pass from McCarthy)
NO — Khalil Blair 2 run (Perdomo kick)
SO — Abel Lopes Jr. 13 pass from Chad Peterson (pass failed)
NO — Blair 16 pass from Perdomo (Blair rush)
NO — Perdomo 33 field goal
