Alva Review-Courier -

WOODWARD, Okla. – Before he moves on to wear the red and black of Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Davion Murrow closed his career as a Goldbug in style as he picked up a couple of honors at 101 Classic Bowl XXX on Friday and Saturday in Woodward.

At the football banquet last Friday, Murrow was named the 101 Classic Bowl East Offensive Player of the Year for his accomplishments during the 2017 season. The accolades continued the next evening when he accumulated 146 yards on six catches and a touchdown during the football game.

For his efforts in the all-star football game, Murrow was named the most valuable player for the East team.

Murrow was one of five players and two coaches representing the Goldbugs in the game, as he was joined by T.W. Beiswanger, Max Parsons and Samuel and Daniel Toone on the East team. Leading from the sidelines was Mike Shklar who was called upon for head coaching duties and Derrick Thomas served as an assistant coach.

The East team held on to a 28-21 lead heading into the halftime break, but West put up 19 unanswered points in the second half for a 40-28 win. The was the most points scored in a Classic Bowl contest in recent years.

Timberlake quarterback Joey Najera started the scoring with a touchdown on the first West drive of the game, keeping the ball for a rushing score from 20 yards out. NWOSU signee London McKee from Chisholm capped off the scoring drive with a 2-point conversion.

Eric Scott

Alva High School assistant coaches Mike Shklar (left) and Derrick Thomas (right) are introduced during the pre-game ceremony at 101 Classic Bowl XXX. Shklar handled the head coaching duties in the Classic Bowl XXX game, while Thomas acted as an assistant. Thomas joins a select club of Classic Bowl coaches who also participated in the game as a player, doing so in 2003 as a Mooreland Bearcat.

After an East touchdown to tie the game, McKee scored again on the ground on a four-yard run. The drive was set up by a long connection through the air between Najera and Murrow.

Later in the second quarter after Elk City's Chipper Skelton found his high school teammate Diquan Bradford in the end zone to give the West the 21-14 lead, Najera hooked up with Murrow again, this time for a 78-yard pitch and catch for a touchdown. Bradford will join Murrow at NWOSU in the fall.

Najera then found Cashion's Seth Brown from 13 yards out on the next drive for the lead.

The West had opportunities during the second half, but the East defense hold tight. One of those possessions in the fourth quarter was set up by Beiswanger who stepped in front of a Elk City's Chipper Skelton pass along the sideline for an interception.

While there were no official defensive stats provided after the game, Daniel Toone made his presence known on the defensive line for the East, getting to the quarterback multiple times for a sack or a hurry, and recording some tackles for loss.

A fourth Ranger signee, Devin Fulgham of Chisholm, had a catch for 11 yards.