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GREENSBORO — West took advantage of a host of early East mistakes, scored the first 16 points and cruised to a 19-7 victory in the 63rd annual East-West all-star football game before 7,991 fans on a sultry Wednesday night at Jamieson Stadium.

“We wanted to come out and make a statement,” Page running back Thuc Phan said. “East and West players were housed at the same place. There was a lot of hostility and rivalry going on in the same building, but we tried to stay high class and tried to stay focused on the game. We wanted to come out and hit them, score early and make them beat themselves.”

East turned the ball over on three of its first four possessions, which included an interception by Boonville Starmount defensive back Jake Barr that he returned from his own 13 to midfield.

West capitalized on that pick by marching 50 yards on 10 plays, chewing up nearly 5 ½ minutes and taking a 10-0 lead on a 1-yard plunge by Shelby running back Raymond Ussery Jr.

West followed that score with a successful onside kick and cashed in once again 10 seconds later with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Lincolnton’s Brandon Wilson to Salisbury’s John Knox II, who earned offensive MVP honors.

“Oh, that was in the plans,” High Point Central linebacker Aaron Leach said about the onside kick. “We worked on it in practice a few times and it worked out pretty good.”

West defensive lineman Javon Hargrave of North Rowan, who recorded five tackles, including three for loss, and recovered a fumble, was named the defensive MVP.

A trio of West players led the way on the ground. Wilson paced West with 38 yards on seven carries. Ussery added 37 rushing yards on eight touches and Knox chewed up 35 yards on 14 carries.

Leach recovered a fumbled handoff deep in East territory late in the first quarter to set up North Davidson kicker Shawn Williams for a 35-yard field goal to open the scoring.

“I was in the right spot at the right time,” Leach said. “I saw the ball fall out and I got it.”

Williams also kicked a 38-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter for a 19-7 West advantage.

East linebacker Christian Russell of Hoke County recovered a fumble at the West 6-yard line late in the third quarter. The turnover led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Richmond running back Walter Ellerbe to break the shutout.

Ellerbe led East offensively with 68 yards on 13 carries.

Contact Jason Wolf at 373-7034 or jason.wolf@news-record.com

West — FG Shawn Williams 35

West — Raymond Ussery 1 run (Williams kick)

West — John Knox II 50 pass from Brandon Wilson (kick failed)

East — Walter Ellerbe 1 run (Dillon Maples kick)

West — FG Williams 39