By Sam Bick,
MontrealAlouettes.com

Montreal - While most high school All-Star games are low-scoring affairs with a heavy emphasis placed on running the ball, last Friday’s 24th annual Alouettes Classic was certainly an exception.

Led by Collège Mont St-Louis receiver Philip Enchill’s two-touchdown performance, Team Pierre Vercheval stormed back from a 17-point deficit to defeat Team Michael Soles 27-17 in front of over 1,000 fans at Percival Molson Stadium.

Alouettes slotback Shaun Diner was impressed with the performance on the field. “I’ve heard that it’s been low scoring in the past, but it went down right to the end today”

The contest, which brought together 120 high school athletes from 20 different schools, is a testament to the rise of amateur football in Quebec.

“It’s an opportunity for the Alouettes to give back and really shows how far football in Quebec has come. A decade ago, you didn’t see three Quebec guys sign NFL contracts in one off-season,” Diner said.

The game, presented by Biscuits Leclerc, was organized by representatives from local high schools and the Alouettes, and coached by veteran players from the McGill Redmen, Concordia Stingers and the University of Montreal Carabins.

Team Soles started the game strong, jumping to a 17-point lead with two minutes remaining in the second half.

Anjou running back scored the game’s first touchdown on a five-yard carry, while Cité des Jeunes’ Jean-Philippe Marin added 10 points with a 35-yard touchdown reception and a short field goal. For his effort in the second quarter, Marin was awarded offensive player of the game honours after finishing with a game-high seven receptions for 123 yards.

In the first half, Collège St-Jean-Vianney quarterback Samuel Nadeau-Piuze was the difference maker for Team Soles, as he found Marin for the 35-yard score and finished the game five-for-five for 81 yards and a touchdown pass.

While Nadeau-Piuze has yet to finish Grade 10, he is already looking forward to next year’s contest. “It was an incredible experience, the atmosphere was awesome today. I can’t wait to come back next year and do the same thing.”

Team Vercheval began the push for equality on the final play of the first half, when Laval High pivot Gabriel Cousineau found Enchill on a five-yard toss for his first score of the game. After the half, Selwyn House kicker Kevin Paul nailed two long field goals to bring his team within four.

The unlikely comeback was completed in the final quarter, when Vercheval quarterback and fellow Mont St-Louis student Jeremy Cloutier hooked up with Enchill on a 21-yard pass. Six minutes later, Cloutier made the score 27-17 when he found Curé Antoine-Labelle receiver Philippe Lamarche on a thrilling 76-yard play.

Enchill, who played in his second Alouettes classic in as many years, was ecstatic about his performance, and his offensive player of the game award.

“It was a crazy game, definitely the best game of my life,” Enchill remarked. “But everyone played well. We were disappointed at half-time, and then got pumped up in the room and played incredibly.”

Team Soles offensive coordinator, and fifth-year Redmen quarterback Matt Connell admitted that he enjoyed his stint behind the bench.

“I love this! It’s probably what I want to do with my life. It’s the other side of things, and you quickly learn that it’s not too easy,” he said.

Connell was impressed with the quality of the game.

“There was some unreal talent here today, I haven’t seen talent like this is long time,” he said.

Connell explained why his team allowed the Vercheval side to come back.

“Even though both teams had a really good half, you just can’t win when you turn the ball over seven times,” he explained.

After the game, event coordinator and Selwyn House head coach Mike Maurovich was also impressed with the quality of play.

“This event is always great, but this year there was a much more competitive football game that showcased a lot of talent. There were great hits and great friendly competition,” he said.

Defensive player of the game awards were presented to Curé Antoine-Labelle linebacker Mehdi Abdesmad of Team Vercheval, who finished the game with six and a half tackles and one interception, and Collège Bourget linebacker Jean-Phillipe Bolduc of Team Soles, who had four tackles and two and a half sacks.