OSHKOSH — Ian Collins was among the state’s best when the 2012 prep football season officially concluded last weekend.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder played defensive end and recorded two tackles, including one for loss, in the South’s 20–19 loss in the 2013 Small Schools All-Star Game at UW–Oshkosh’s Titan Stadium.

Collins was the first Hillsboro athlete to ever play in the WFCA All-Star game, formerly the WFCA Shrine Bowl.

The South scored first, but behind a resilient rushing attack and a stingy defense the North rallied and held on for a one-point win.

Southwestern’s Aaron Kaiser helped the South grab an early 6–0 lead in the first quarter on a 79-yard double reverse  pass from Kaiser to Chris Madden of Kenosha St. Joseph’s.

The North responded with a ground attack that pounded away all day producing 211 yards on 46 carries.

Laconia’s Cody Moon scored on a 3-yard run in the second quarter to tie the game at 6–6.

A spectacular catch by Clayton’s Zach Schradle on a 12-yard strike from prep teammate Kyle Larson put the North ahead 12–6 at the half.

Larson then hooked up with Marathon’s Vince Dinkel in the third quarter to give the North a 20–6 advantage. Larson completed 8 of 12 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns for the North.

Lancaster’s Kile Jerrett caught a 36-yard TD pass from Lake Country Lutheran’s Jacob Simons to pull the South within early in the fourth quarter.

A short pass over the middle from Simons to Kris Manning turned into a 64-yard score late in the game, but the game-tying extra point was missed.

The South team recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Elmwood’s Logan Wolf intercepted  Simons two plays later to end the threat.

Winneconne’s Dylan Hecker gained three yards on 4th-and-1 to seal the North win.

Collins was a team co-captain last fall and a first-team All-Scenic Bluffs selection on both sides of the ball.

Collins was the emotional leader of both Hillsboro lines. On defense he registered 33 tackles, including 28 solos and three sacks.

On offense he anchored a line that allowed the Tigers to rush for 3,162 yards and 45 touchdowns in 10 games. Hillsboro’s offense averaged 27.6 points per game.

Hillsboro went 7–3 in 2012.