SANDY — Juan Diego quarterback Brian May spent the entire 2008 season playing with big leads while directing a powerful running offense.

So he wasn't exactly prepared when he was called upon to run a two-minute drill to try and pull out a victory for the 3A all-stars against the best players from 1A and 2A in their annual all-star game at Alta High on Saturday.

"It was kind of weird, being in shotgun and stuff," May said. "I like it though. I prefer that kind of stuff."

It showed.

May directed a 78-yard scoring drive, culminating in a 16-yard touchdown pass to Juan Diego teammate Jake Doughty with 23.7 seconds left to give 3A a thrilling 27-26 win over 1A/2A. May was money on his team's final drive, as he completed a 15-yard pass to Logan's Zach Skabelund on a fourth-and-10, and a 12-yard pass to Doughty on a third-and-10.

"He made some nice plays," said Juan Diego coach John Colosimo, who directed the 3A stars. "He was clutch on that drive."

The 1A/2A stars nearly made May's scoring drive a moot point. North Sevier's Wyatt Mason returned the ensuing kickoff to 3A's 31-yard line. Following a pass-interference penalty and a 9-yard run by Manti's Griffin Aste, 1A/2A went for a field goal. A 24-yard attempt by San Juan's Kohler Black, however, hit the left upright.

Still, it was a solid effort by the 1A/2A stars, who typically struggle against 3A in the annual all-star game. The 1A/2A linemen mostly controlled the trenches until 3A's final scoring drive, and its offense moved the ball through the air and on the ground. It also kept 3A's running game in check.

"I think they overlooked us at first," said North Summit linebacker Stevin Sommerville, who led the 1A/2A defense with two sacks and a fumble recovery. "But in the second half they knew they were in a dogfight. They stepped up and played ball like they do, (and) like we do."

The 1A/2A stars were in position to win the game before May stole the win away from them. Black scored on an option pitch from 11 yards out to give 1A/2A a 26-20 lead with 4:51 left in the game. They had the ball with a chance to chew some clock before Delta's Dayton DeLoach intercepted a pass on 3A's 21-yard line with 2:43 remaining, setting up his team's last drive.

Doughty returned the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown before lightning caused the game to be briefly delayed. Logan's Josh Thompson kicked two field goals for 3A, including a 47-yarder.

"It was great from the get-go," Colosimo said. "It was a fun game. You put that kind of talent on the field, the kids are going to make big plays."

5A ALL STARS 7: 4A ALL STARS 3: In comparison to the smaller schools' all-star game, 4A and 5A put on a dud. Alta defensive back Ryan Lee provided the biggest play of the game, intercepting a pass and returning it 45 yards for a touchdown to put 5A up 7-0 in the first quarter.

Springville's Mika Goodman kicked a 51-yard field goal for 4A. Lee added a second interception in the fourth quarter, and Alta's Zach Bigelow also had a pick. Bonneville's Austin Richards had an interception for 4A late in the game.

E-MAIL: aaragon@desnews.com