Riley, South score comeback win
Published 1:50 pm Monday, July 22, 2013
Former Greenville High School standout Kent Riley helped lead the South All-Stars to a 22-21, come-from-behind win over the North All-Stars Thursday night at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery as part of Alabama All-Star Sports Week.
The win avenged a 34-12 loss to the North in 2012, and extended the South’s advantage in the all-time series to 30-23-2.
For three quarters on Thursday, it looked like the North would narrow the gap in the series after racing out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
But the second half belonged to the South.
“The turning point for us was when coach told us this would be our last high school football game, and to leave with a time that we’d want to remember forever,” Riley said.
Head coach Smitty Grider’s motivational speech sparked the South to 22-unanswered points and the win.
Riley, who scored a touchdown but had it called back on a holding penalty, was pleased with his performance and the opportunity to play with such talented players.
The former Tiger, who split time at quarterback and wide receiver as a senior, played wide receiver for the South.
He finished the game with one reception for nine yards and three rushes for negative-one yard. He also completed a 20-yard pass.
His performance caught the eye of at least one college recruiter.
“I talked to the coach from West Alabama when I was coming off the field, and he asked me if I had chosen a school yet,” Riley said.
Riley, who finished his senior campaign with 1,020 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns, has yet to choose a college.
“I just want everything to be right when I pick my school,” Riley said.
Riley said he hopes to attend a two-year college and then transfer to a four-year school.