TRU Prep star running back clutch as Private beats Public in annual All-Star Game

TRU Prep Academy running back Clay Thevenin scored from five yards out with 3:07 left, putting the finishing touches on the Private School All-Stars’ 22-8 victory over the Public School All-Stars in the 13th Annual TRU Sports Foundation Private vs. Public All-Star football game on Saturday at the Betty T. Ferguson Sports Complex in Miami Gardens.

With his team clinging to a 14-8 lead throughout the fourth quarter, Thevenin kept pestering his head coach Isaac Harris.

“He wouldn’t leave me alone,” said Harris, TRU Prep’s defensive coordinator who coached the Private All-Stars on Saturday. “I’ve gotten to see first-hand what this kid did for our team all last season, the ability to get out there and put the team on his back and close things out. That’s exactly what he did out there tonight.”

Harris and the other TRU Prep coaches who filled out his Private School All-Star staff, got to watch their star do exactly as promised.

Thevenin finished the night with 122 yards on a dozen carries but 60 of those yards came on his team’s clutch closeout drive in the last five minutes including a 40-yard sprint from midfield to the Public 10.

The win cuts the Public All-Stars’ lead in the all-time series to 7-6.

“Nothing new for me, I always like to put the team on my back whenever I can and that’s what I did tonight,” said Thevenin, who was clutching a big trophy, the obvious choice for the game’s Offensive MVP. “Me and my teammates, we wanted to just try and come out and make sure we all had fun. This was our last high school game so everybody had to get on the field and have as much fun as possible. At the end the day, it’s about winning but it’s also about having a good time and enjoying the experience and that’s what we all did.”

In typical All-Star game fashion, the game was choppy throughout as both teams combined for six turnovers and special teams, specifically punting, was a disaster on both sides.

Thevenin had some big carries on his team’s opening drive of the game that eventually led to a 31-yard touchdown pass from his teammate, TRU Prep quarterback Avante Gibson to Monsignor Pace WR Za’ron Campbell Jr. and subsequent 2-point conversion pass for an early 8-0 lead.

One series later, the Private team fumbled and Belle Glade Glades Central defensive end Casey Felton Jr. (who would eventually take home Defensive MVP honors after the game) was there to scoop it up and return it inside the 10.

Four plays later, on fourth-and-goal from the two, Public head coach Dave Simmons gambled and went for it. Cooper City quarterback Xavier Thompson rewarded him with an option keeper into the end zone.

Special teams issues began here when the extra point bounced off the right upright leaving the Private team ahead 8-6.

But it was three golden opportunities for points before halftime that would haunt Public coach Dave Simmons and his staff.

First, a 27-yard field goal attempt early in the second quarter that incredibly, bounced off the right upright again. The next lost chance came after Norland placekicker Aidan Martinez connected on a 26-yard goal to put his team in front 9-8. But a roughing the center penalty gave the public team a first down inside the five so Simmons opted to take the points off the board.

It would backfire as his offense, after three plays, was still out on the 6-yard line and the ensuing field goal attempt went awry on a bad snap.

Just before halftime, Krop’s Kiesean Browne broke through and blocked a Private punt and returned it to the three yard line. With only 23 seconds left and out of timeouts, the Public team ran a running play into the middle of the line that was stuffed and they couldn’t get another play off before time ran out.

Another Private punt went sideways in the third quarter when a high snap went into the end zone where Monsignor Pace punter Adrian Marquez was tackled for a safety tying the game at 8-8.

Late in the third, following another messed up punt attempt when Norland’s Martinez, following a bad snap, took off running but came up short of the first down at his own 25, the Private squad took the lead for good.

Gibson lofted a perfect pass to the corner of the end zone and Mater Academy’s Tyreese Clerveau was there to reel it in to put the Private team up 14-8.

“Just a real honor to come out here tonight and be able to contribute to my team,” said Felton Jr. who also had eight tackles including three for loss and a sack. “When I came out and made a few plays early in the game, I figured maybe I might have a shot (at the MVP) so tonight was a good night for me because I haven’t really been getting many looks from schools.”

Harris also reeled in some hardware as he was named the game’s Outstanding Coach.

“I appreciate everybody coming out tonight and having fun with us,” Harris said. “We had a good time. I appreciate Mario Smith (TRU Prep CEO and game organizer) for putting this together for the kids. Sure it’s nice to win but as long as the kids on both sides come out here and have fun, that’s the most important thing and I think that’s what we got out there tonight.”

This story was originally published January 7, 2023 at 10:20 PM.