Orlando – Mississippi State was well represented in a talented Under Armour All-American game on Wednesday, with three Bulldog signees contributing to a 39-9 win for Team Ice.
Quarterback signee Michael Van Buren of Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy got things started on a 65-yard touchdown drive to open the ballgame. The 6’1″, 180-pound four-star was in complete command of the offense, completing 4/4 passes he attempted to along with a nine-yard scramble on the drive.
Van Buren hit Texas A&M commit Terry Bussey for a 33-yard completion on 3rd down, and he stepped up in the pocket to find Alabama commit Ryan Williams for a 16-yard touchdown strike. It was the start of a big day for the one-time Oregon pledge, who was named the game’s MVP.
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Of the five signal callers who saw action in the game, Van Buren had the highest completion percentage and the most passing yards, completing 10/15 passes for 123 yards while splitting time with NC State signee Cedrick Bailey Jr. for Team Ice. Van Buren also completed a pair of two-point conversions through the air, and hauled one in on a Philly Special throw from Williams.
The game’s leading receiver was none other than Mississippi State signee Mario Craver of Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville. After leading his team to a 6A State Title, Craver put his blazing speed on display with a 51-yard catch and run down the right sideline from Bailey.
The 5’10” 160-pound Craver finished with two receptions for 66 yards. His second reception came on a slant from his future teammate Van Buren, and he muscled his way through the Team Fire defense for some yards after the catch.
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Starkville (Miss.) standout receiver Braylon “Stonka” Burnside made two receptions for eight yards, but the highlight of his evening came at halftime. The four-star prospect made his long anticipated decision, committing to Mississippi State over Ole Miss on national television.
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Burnside had decommitted from Mississippi State back in November, but the Bulldogs re-entered the picture for the hometown product with Jeff Lebby’s hiring in early December.
“Coach Lebby is that dude, so the next 3-4 years I’m gonna give it my best,” Burnside said on the ESPN broadcast.
