Dungee on Sidelines, North Loses All-Star Football Classic

For Morristown High School’s Darren Dungee, Monday's North-South All-Star Football Classic at Kean University was supposed to be a great test of his skills heading to the next level, as both rosters were filled with players who will compete on the gridiron in college.

But a sudden case of strep throat sidelined the star linebacker on Monday, leaving him watching as his North squad—which named him a team captain in the days leading up to the game—dropped a heartbreaker, 21-14, which was sealed by a fourth quarter interception returned for a touchdown by Hammonton High’s Jared Sanchez.

"It’s tough," Dungee said from the sidelines during the first half. "I practiced all week but I woke up this morning and I didn’t feel well at all. I went to the doctor and he said I have strep throat."

But even without Dungee, the North defense played well, holding the South to just seven points in the games final three quarters.

And with the Rutgers bound 'backer looking on, it was the North offense, not defense, that struggled to get going against a very tough South defense.

After quarterback Matt Soltes threw the game-altering interception, the North defense gave the team another chance to score as a sack with 2:03 remaining forced a punt, giving the North the ball with under two minutes remaining.

But just as was the case for much of the night, the North offense would fail to capitalize, as its final drive stalled inside of the 25-yard line, giving the South the 33rd Annual North-South All-Star Football Classic title.