KINGSVILLE, Texas – West Liberty cornerback Darren Banks built quite a name for himself as a ball-hawking defensive back during his stellar career with the Hilltoppers and the three-time All-American lived up to that reputation in Friday night’s Cactus Bowl All-Star Game at Javelina Stadium.
While Banks’ East All-Star Team came out on the short end of a 28-27 score in the closest Cactus Bowl game on record, the Super Region I Defensive Player of the Year made a pretty good case for himself in front of more than 6,000 fans and numerous NFL scouts.
Banks, who ranks No. 2 in college football history with 35 career interceptions, kept his East team in the game with a clutch fourth-quarter pick in the end zone.
The Hilltopper standout intercepted a pass by West quarterback Ted Schlafke of NCAA Division II national champion Minnesota-Duluth to snuff out a scoring threat and preserve a 22-21 lead for the East in the early minutes of the fourth quarter.
East kicker Tom Schneider of North Alabama then booted a 24-yard field goal – his fourth three-pointer of the night – to put the gold-clad East up by a 25-21 score.
The West quarterback Keith Null of West Texas A&M struck back by leading an 81-yard scoring drive, capping the march with a 2-yard touchdown toss to Winona State’s Todd Burkoth for a 28-25 West lead with 4:20 remaining.
Banks and his East teammates gave their offense one last chance to pull out a win when they held the West offense to a three-and-out inside the West 10.
The West took an intentional safety, cutting the lead to 28-27 with 1:41 to play, and the free kick was returned to midfield.
The East drove to the West 18, setting up a game-winning field goal attempt for Schneider, but the kick sailed wide right and the West escaped with the one-point win.
Banks’ final stats showed him with an interception, a pass breakup and two tackles. He also returned a pair of kickoffs for 27 yards.
