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Humeniuk, North take down South by a field goal

North’s Jake Humeniuk of Salem runs a route against South’s Josh Whitten on Saturday. (Photo by Wayne Maris)

MASSILLON — Jeff Bayuk surveyed the situation and took a sigh of relief in the aftermath.

The Warren John F. Kennedy football coach, who coached the North team during Saturday’s Division IV-VII North-South Classic at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, had a 17-point lead with 2:06 remaining.

The South made up 14 points in that time, thanks in part to an Ohio High School Football Coaches Association rule where if a team is down by nine points, they can use a one-time exception in this format to get the ball back after scoring.

The South trailed by three with less than 30 seconds remaining, but Jefferson’s Jeremiah Knight smothered the onside kick to preserve the win.

North 45, South 42.

“Whoever invented the defensive rules for this game knew what they were doing,” Bayuk said. “You never want to play cover zero when you’re playing a base defense.

“You see why.”

Area players Jordan Murphy (Crestview), Jake Humeniuk (Salem), Gabe Barnard (Springfield) and Frank Centofanti (Springfield) were a part of the North’s triumph.

Although the offensive football antics were exciting, so was the camaraderie these players had were amazing as well.

They even handled a 40-minute weather delay prior to the noon kickoff.

Bayuk joked and said he had a pre-game speech prepared.

“They took selfies,” he said. “They did some Instagram stuff, or whatever else they’re doing. It was a good time.”

So was this year for the Eagles, who won the second state championship in school history. JFK won the Division VII title in early December.

Bayuk had senior linebacker Evan Boyd and offensive lineman Bruce Johnson on the team. The Eagles mentor had one piece of advice for the two.

“Enjoy 48 more minutes of high school football you weren’t going to get,” Bayuk said.

Boyd, who is heading to Youngstown State as a preferred walk-on definitely enjoyed his time with the North team, practiced and stayed in Stark County together prior to the game. His father is from East Liverpool.

“Just hanging out with everybody and being part of a team again until the college level is a great thing,” Boyd said.

Bayuk said Friday’s practice was chaotic with kids screwing around, but fun.

“It’s what the all-star game is supposed to be,” Bayuk said. “Great talent and great kids getting together and celebrate their talents.”

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