Greeley – Originally, he wasn’t quite sure what to think.
Brian Hendricks, a small-school, multisport star, entered the Colorado All-State football game Saturday at the University of Northern Colorado full of anticapitalism yet apprehensive about his ability to earn playing time against larger-school participants.
But by game’s end, Hendricks, who recently graduated from Class 1A Burlington, had his answer. He played both ways and was voted most valuable player of the South squad that rallied from an 18-point deficit to down the North 33-25.
“Oh, my gosh, it was a blast,” said Hendricks, who excelled at linebacker and running back. “I expected it to be fun, but it was top-notch. You can’t ask for anything more than that. When you play small- school ball, you can’t expect to come in and play both ways, but that’s what I did, and it was a blast.”
Hendricks, 6-feet-2 and 215 pounds, was in on a dozen tackles, none bigger than his sack of North quarterback Dylan Orms (Wheat Ridge) on third down in the final two minutes.
The Wyoming-bound Hendricks, a two-time wrestling champion, began the South’s comeback early in the third quarter. Down 25-7, Hendricks rolled to a 74-yard touchdown run down the left sideline.
The South added a safety on the first play of the fourth quarter on a bad snap on a punt attempt, then Bobby Adamson (Byers) scrambled and threw a 39-yard strike to Jason Espinoza (Alamosa) to the 1-yard line that set up a scoring plunge by Tyler Thompson (Rifle).
A conversion kick from Alamosa’s Dustin Bolt brought the South within 25-23.
Two series later, Adamson handled a low snap and was able to give Bolt a good hold on a 40-yard field that gave the South the lead with 4:50 left.
Jamaal Johnson (Fountain- Fort Carson) then gave the South some breathing room by returning an interception 55 yards for a touchdown.
South defenders such as Wasson lineman Kenneth Smith kept the North in check down the stretch. Just 5-10 and 195, Smith didn’t blink at opposing linemen who towered over him and were much wider.
“I was able to get in there by using my speed and quickness,” he said.
For the South, Clay Garcia, The Denver Post 2006 Gold Helmet winner and quarterback at Alamosa, also was big.
The North had additional significant contributions from Tanner Ehrlich (Poudre), who kicked four field goals and was voted team MVP; linebacker Dan Raunig (Mountain Vista); Sean Cunningham (Aurora Central); Nathan Walker (Colorado Springs Christian); Eric Mitchell (Highlands Ranch); and Mark Schaffer (D’Evelyn).
South 0 7 7 19 – 33
North 3 15 7 0 – 25
N – FG Ehrlich (Poudre) 25. N – FG Ehrlich 26. S – Garcia (Alamosa) 6 run (Bolt kick). N – Schaffer (D’Evelyn) 13 run (pass failed). N – FG Ehrlich 39. N – FG Ehrlich 47. N – Cunningham (Aurora Central) 29 pass from Orms (Ehrlich kick). S – Hendricks 74 run (Bolt kick). S – Safety, punter stepped out of end zone. S – Thompson (Rifle) 1 run (Bolt kick). S – FG Bolt 40. S – Johnson 55 interception return (Bolt kick).
Staff writer Neil H. Devlin can be reached at 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com.
