SALEM, Va. – Curry seniors Matt Alksninis and Kenniel Velez recently participated in the 2010 Division 3 Senior Classic. The game was played on December 4 at Salem Stadium in Salem, Virginia. Alksninis (Mansfield, Mass.) was the starting punter for the North Team and Velez (Brockton, Mass.) played at defensive end.

The contest lived up to its name as the game came down to a Dan Winsey field goal with six seconds remaining and the North trailing, 18-17. The kick was preceded by a dramatic comeback by the South squad in the fourth quarter fueled by quarterback Justin Feaster and supported by touchdowns from wide receiver  Bryan Cain and running back Armond Smith. With the South taking the lead for the first time in the game with 3:32 remaining in the 4th quarter the North was faced with a challenge.

On the ensuing drive, North quarterback Jacob Caron completed a crucial 4th and 6 pass to wide receiver Matt Shepherd covering 41 yards to get deep into South territory. Two short-yardage runs by running back David Leach set the stage for the clutch Winsey 34-yarder in the waning seconds to put the North back on top, 20-18. On the ensuing kickoff, the South utilized a series of laterals in an attempt to advance the kickoff return. Defensive back Leer Biddle grabbed one on the fly and scampered in for a touchdown with no time remaining to account for the final score.

Alksninis had four punts with one inside the 20, and had the longest run from scrimmage for the North Team. On a 4th and 21, he took the snap and ran 26 yards for a first down. Velez had a quarterback sack along with several pressures and several assisted tackles.

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