Last modified: Saturday, June 20, 2009 2:26 AM EDT Norton's Brian Desmond had a touchdown catch in Friday night's Shriners' Game, helping the South squad to victory. (Staff photo by TOM MAGUIRE) Locals shine at Shriners BY ANDY REID FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE WALTHAM - Walking toward the concession stand at halftime of the 31st annual Shriners' All-Star Game, one North Attleboro football fan in a red polo remarked, "It's incredible how much faster this game is than a regular high school one." It's a small statement, but one with a large impact. Get 22 of the state's best players on the field together, and you'll have yourself one helluva ball game. Although the final score - 27-6 in favor of the South team - was lopsided, it wasn't at all indicative of the talent both teams had. With both team's boasting top-level competitors, it took standouts, like Norton's Brian Desmond, to boost South to its eventual victory. And the team almost didn't have him. Desmond, who was one of the last players to join the roster because of some "issues with people in Norton," shined from his wide receiver spot, including snagging two game-changing plays, a 33-yard scamper down the North sideline and a four-yard touchdown grab on the next possession. Desmond was one of five area kids to participate for the winning South team. North Attleboro's Mike D'Atillio and Kevin Richman, Mansfield's Jeff Mallet and Tri-County's Lucas Mistler also played. "It was great, I was really excited to get the opportunity to play," Desmond said "It's a great game, and I mean, the competition is just unbelievable." South ran a spread offense for the game, and although it can be effective once players know how to make their reads, it's a fairly confusing offense to learn for the first time. Desmond has been working with the spread offense since his sophomore year at Norton, and that experience allowed him to help out and become a leader. With only two weeks to prepare before the showdown with the North squad, every little bit helps, and Desmond's leadership and work ethic surely played a part in the South team's ability to play as a cohesive unit. Desmond said the offense took some time to gel, but once it did, everything went very smoothly. "It's getting used to playing with new kids, new quarterbacks," Desmond said. "Everything is different timing, and just playing with new kids is always a challenge. But it's great because everyone here is so good. It doesn't take much to click." And preparing for a game in such limited time, with an all-new supporting cast, will most definitely help Desmond at the next level. He's going to be playing for Stonehill College in the fall. (Skyhawks coach Robert Talley doesn't know that Desmond played in the Shriners All-Star Game, but he didn't get injured, so no harm, no foul.) Despite Desmond's stellar outing, Robb McCoy, Desmond's head coach at Norton and a South assistant coach, wasn't surprised at what he got from him on the field. "That's just typical Brian Desmond," McCoy said. "He's in the right place, he's running the right routes. ... He made a great touchdown catch, he had another great catch down the sideline, had a couple of really nice blocks, but he's in the right place in the right time. And he's a high-character kid. He really is. He's a special kid, and I'm very lucky to have had the opportunity to coach him." But McCoy did marvel at the sheer amount of talent he got to coach for the last two weeks. When asked what he'd do if he got to play a full 11-game schedule with the roster, he quipped that he'd only need three guys from the South team and he'd have something special. Dartmouth High School's Sean Sylvia was one of those special talents. He was the South's offensive MVP, and he wowed the crowd with spectacular plays, including a third-quarter jump pass, reminiscent of Florida's Tim Tebow. The experience had a different meaning for Kevin Richman, from North Attleboro. Celebrating quietly after the game with teammate Mike D'Atillio and coach Kurt Kummer, he looked back on a successful football career. He's planning on going to Westfield College next year to study Criminal Justice - but he won't be pursuing sports other than intramurals. "It was great to get out there one last time," he said with a smile on his face. "It was just an awesome experience, because I'm not playing in college." All in all, it was a great experience for those who participated, and although the kids can't come back next year, the coaches can. It was McCoy's first time coaching in the game, but it certainly won't be the last. "I would do it again tomorrow," he said. "I would do it anytime. That's because of the guys I was able to work with. ... We had so much fun. Before practice, during practice, it was just a great time."