Shane Knowlton Simard’s 53-yard TD sprint with :26 left lifts South All-Stars in 64th Agganis game
LYNN — Following a standout football career at Lynn English, Shane Knowlton Simard was determined to depart Manning Field Sunday night with one last signature moment.
With the South All-Stars trailing, 10-6, with 26 seconds remaining in the 64th Harry Agganis All-Star Game, Knowlton Simard caught a slant pass over the middle and sprinted 53 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
The dramatic winning reception, along with his 46-yard pick-six in the first quarter, earned Knowlton Simard MVP honors as the South All-Stars secured a 12-10 victory over the North All-Stars.
The football game capped a two-day Agganis All-Star weekend — previously held over four days — that features top graduating seniors from across the region competing in nine sports.
The program raises money for the Agganis Foundation, which has awarded $2.68 million in scholarships to 1,086 student-athletes since 1955, including 12 presented before Sunday’s game.
“It was exciting. You love to play every last snap on this field, when it’s your home field,” said Knowlton Simard. “And to be able to come out here and represent my school . . . it just feels great.”
The North team controlled possession for the majority of the game, with Austin Prep’s Drew Tisbert (9 for 13, 167 yards, passing touchdown) forming a strong connection with St. John’s Prep tight end Brody Gillingham (4 receptions, 65 yards, receiving touchdown).
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South’s defense generated five sacks and two interceptions to remain within striking distance, before quarterback Yaniel Belliard (St. Mary’s) found Knowlton Simard over the middle of the field for the go-ahead score.
Prior to the 53-yard completion, South had mustered 72 yards of total offense.
“We knew [Knowlton Simard] is still the best player around right now when he steps on the field,” said South coach Tyllor McDonald, who also coached him at Lynn English. “We tried not to put as much on him early on. The game got to that [point], and when his number was called, he just did what he usually does.”
The Agganis All-Star Games are played in memory of Harry Agganis, an All-American quarterback at Lynn Classical and Boston University who went on to play first base for the Red Sox.
In 1955, Agganis died of a pulmonary embolism at age 26, and the Agganis Foundation was formed later that year to award scholarships in his honor.
Sunday represented a full-circle moment for McDonald, a former star quarterback at Lynn English who won MVP honors in the 2011 Agganis game.
“Just for the fact that Harry Agganis was from Lynn. It’s special to us Lynn guys,” said McDonald. “He grew up a while back, but he grew up in Lynn, just like the guys that I’ve coached … for me to win MVP a while back, and then for Shane to do it tonight, it’s a great feeling.”
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