Team Stars & Stripes falls 45-27 to Mexico in 2011 Tazon de Estrellas

CHOLULA, Mexico — Mexico returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the second quarter to build a 31-14 halftime lead and went on to a 45-27 victory over Team Stars and Stripes in the 2011 Tazon de Estrellas Saturday afternoon at Templo de Delor (House of Pain).

Dan Stiefel of Wartburg (Iowa) earned Offensive MVP honors for Team Stars & Stripes, completing 8 of 12 passes for 121 yards and two TDs.

Jake Petersen of Central (Iowa) was named Defensive MVP for the Americans with two interceptions and five tackles.

Ohio Northern senior Chad Coward received the prestigious Ron Schipper Best Traveler Award as the player that best exemplifies the qualities of hard work, intensity and sportsmanship during the entire week both on and off the field.

Coward had a pair of tackles and ONU senior Trygve Henrikson had one tackle for TSS.

"The outcome of the game was not ideal, but that is the game of football," Coward said. "I had a great time all week. It is an honor to win the Coach Schipper Award - it's just amazing. This trip was a once in a lifetime experience and I enjoyed every minute of it."

The Americans scored on their first possession as Stiefel hit Matt Robinette of Hanover (Ind.) on a 10-yard TD pass with 9:52 left in the opening period.

On the ensuing kickoff, Colton Calvert of Simpson (Iowa) scooped up a fumble and raced in 21 yards for the score and Stars & Stripes enjoyed a quick 14-0 lead.

But the Mexicans would respond with 38 unanswered points, scoring on touchdown passes of 50, 28 and 45 yards, returning a pair of interceptions 63 and 25 yards for scored and a 40-yard field goal.

Jorge Martinez completed a 50-yard TD pass to fullback Miguel Guerrero to pull Mexico within 14-7 and Gustavo Garcia hit Leopold Lara on a 28-yard scoring strike to tie the game at 14-all at the end of the first quarter.

The game turned in the second quarter with James Walter returned an interception 63 yards for a TD and Mexico led 21-14 with just 22 seconds gone in the period.

After a Stars & Stripes punt, Alejandro Gonora nailed a 40-yard field goal at the 11:08 mark of the period to make it a 24-14 lead.

Jose Garcia then returned an interception 25 yards for a score and it was 31-14 Mexico with 4:58 left before halftime.

Gustavo Garcia hit Daniel Siller on a 45-yard pass to make it 38-14 Mexico with 1:28 left in the third.

"Give Mexico credit, they were a very good football team," Team Stars & Stripes head coach Bill Manlove said. "The two pick-sixes were huge. They broke open a close game and put us in a big hole. But I was proud of the way we kept battling and competed until the end. It was a terrific week for us, it was just too bad the game turned out in their favor."

Stiefel hit Matt White of Capital on a 24-yard TD  pass early in the fourth period to make it 38-21 with 11:34 left in the game.

But Martinez completed a 55-yard TD pass, helping Mexico convert on a 2nd and 53 situation, to make it 45-21 with 3:01 left to play.

David Lee of Augustana (Ill.) hit Logan Granera of Grinnell (Iowa) on a 25-yard TD strike with 58 seconds left to cap the scoring.

"It was one of the best weeks of my life," Henrikson said. "I came down here with Chad (Coward) and am going home with 53 brothers. Win, lose or draw I would play in this game again in a heartbeat."

Mexico out-gained Team Stars & Stripes 385-305 in total offense and held the Americans to just 2 of 14 on converting on third down.

"Mexico was very good up front and caused us some problems," ONU head coach and Stars & Stripes offensive coordinator Dean Paul said. "I was proud of our ONU guys. Trygve was selected a captain and Chad won the Schipper Award - those are outstanding accomplishments. Both of those young men represented Ohio Northern and the United States very well all week."