For the Star-Ledger
The most exciting and spirited game in the history of the New York-New Jersey All-Star Classic came down to the final play, and it ended with another New Jersey victory when North Bergen safety Evan Rodriguez came down with an interception in the end zone.
Edison receiver Michael Campbell scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Mike Gerardi with 1:59 to play, then New York proceeded to drive 68 yards to the 5-yard line before the interception by Rodriguez sealed New Jersey's 21-14 victory before 5,000 yesterday at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway.
New York's 14-13 halftime lead stood until the 6-2, 200-pound Campbell fought off two defenders to catch a fade from Gerardi, and the two hooked up again on the two-point conversion to provide the final margin.
'It was a simple fade route and I knew the corner was short and couldn't jump with me," said Campbell, who is headed to Temple. "I told Mike to throw it high and I'd go get it."
The interception was the second of the game for the West Virginia-bound Rodriguez. He returned a second-quarter pick 42 yards to the New York 1 to set up Jersey's second touchdown, a 3-yard pass from Paterson Kennedy quarterback Chris Johnson (Boston College) to Mike Daniels (Iowa), a fullback from Highland Regional in Blackwood.
Weequahic tailback Adonis Thomas (Toledo) scored New Jersey's first TD on a reverse-the-field 60-yard run. The victory was New Jersey's second straight and improved its all-time lead in the series - the game was formerly known as the Governor's Bowl - to 7-3.
Piscataway offensive lineman Anthony Davis, the first No. 1-ranked recruit in state history to choose Rutgers, led a group of eight New Jersey players who are about to become Scarlet Knights.
The 6-6, 330-pound Davis appeared to be in excellent shape and played virtually the entire game at left tackle. The team ran his way a majority of the time -- his guess was 75 percent -- in out-gaining New York on the ground, 155-45.
Davis said risking injury was not a concern. 'You can get hurt walking down the street," he said. "The (Rutgers) coaches encouraged it. It's a chance to play football. It felt good to be out there. I was in pretty good shape for this."
Davis is expected to move from tackle to right guard as a freshman because of the presence of Rutgers' two All-Big East tackles, Pedro Sosa and Jeremy Zuttah.
'It doesn't matter, football is football," he said. "It's just a couple of different techniques."
Paterson Catholic defensive end Al-Ghaffar Lane was a pass-rushing beast in his first game at his future home. The Rutgers-bound Lane had a sack, caused a key fumble and had two tackles, including one for a loss, to earn New Jersey defensive player of the game honors.
Lane is likely to redshirt in order to put bulk on his 6-4, 190-pound frame, but he still could play a key role in the coming year. Lane is a cousin of quarterback/safety Will Hill of St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, who will be the top senior in the state and among the best in the nation next season. Hill was in attendance with Lane's family.
'I don't want to be a pest," Lane said. "I told him, 'This is home. This is where family is.''
Lane also helped recruit Davis and has put him in touch with Hill.
'I have the power of persuasion," Lane said.
Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel, an All-Stater in 2003 at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, was in attendance with about 15 Rutgers teammates.
"A bunch of guys are here for a sneak peek," Teel said.
His impression of Davis?
"He's a big kid, but like any kid out of high school he's got a lot of work to do," Teel said. "We're excited. Hopefully, he'll do the right things and come in to camp ready to go."
Jeremy Tucker, the tailback from Pope John of Sparta headed to Hampton, picked up 78 yards on 16 carries, while Thomas had 79 yards on six carries. Gerardi was 4-of-8 for 92 yards and Campbell caught two passes for 62 yards.
Linebackers Basim Hudeen of Elizabeth and Amara Kamara of Weequahic played extremely well. Hudeen, the Union County Player of the Year, finished with four tackles, a sack and 2 1/2 tackles for loss. Kamara, the state Defensive Player of the Year, had a game-high six tackles.