LAND O’ LAKES — Despite a strong performance by Land O’ Lakes quarterback Ethan Forrester, who passed for more than 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns with an interception, the East came up short with a 23-21 loss in the 2019 Pasco County Football All-Star Classic.

The East, which had won two games in a row, leads the series 3-2. Games, organized by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, are always played in December at Sunlake and feature high school seniors from the county’s 15 schools.

“It’s fun,” Wesley Chapel coach Tony Egan said. “You get the guys together and it’s a collective competition.”

“These kids are the best in the county,” added Cypress Creek coach Mike Johnson.

The closest game of the series featured six lead changes, three turnovers and two touchdowns on special teams. The West led 9-7 before each team scored 14 points in the third quarter.

Wiregrass Ranch’s Keith Walker returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown that gave the East a 14-9 lead. Mitchell’s Rob Graham ran back the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for his second touchdown of the game. Graham had a 53-yard touchdown catch earlier on a pass from Fivay’s Bryan Hair. Forrester then connected with Wiregrass Ranch’s Jonavon Tillis on a 35-yard touchdown pass.

Earlier in the game Wesley Chapel’s Jelani Vassell scored the first touchdown for the East, catching a slant-in pass from Forrester for a 32 yards. Wildcat teammate Fletcher Martin kicked all three extra points.