By John Raffel
David Brown saved his best for last.
The talented 5’9″ 170-pound defensive back from Ithaca capped off the West’s memorable 32nd annual Michigan High School Football Coaches Association all-star contest June 30 at Alma College.
The West was up 52-7 when Brown scored the final touchdown on a 55-yard interception return of a pass from the East’s Tyler Steele.
Brown was the representative from the 2010 and 2011 Division 6 state champion. He returned from injury during his senior season to help the team take another state crown.
The West defense had shut down the East all day, and Brown was able to get into the act, picking off a pass and returning it for a touchdown.
“I was sitting back in cover 4 zone,” he recalled. “I was playing everything in front of me. It sailed over the receiver’s head. As soon as I got the pick, I saw five or six jerseys blocking in front of me. There’s no better feeling. I figured they’d throw it. I didn’t think it’d be a return for a touchdown.”
Brown and the other West defenders were too much for the East on this particular day.
“We were rushing the quarterback,” Brown said. “He never had time to settle in and be comfortable. We did a good job.”
The all-stars only had a week to prepare for the game.
“We had about 12 practices,” Brown said. “We got quite a bit of time to get to know and play with each other. As defensive backs, we just wanted to stay back, give up on some stuff…fly around and make them uncomfortable.”
Overall for Brown, it was a fun week.
“It’s been a long, hot week, but to come out and play and get that interception made it worthwhile,” he said.
For the future, having played in such a game “helps a lot,” Brown said. “You’re playing with the best. Playing with them helps your confidence out.”