ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Cedar Cliff graduate and Penn State recruit Adam Breneman was thrilled to be invited to the Under Armour High School All-America game.
He just wishes he could have played.
Breneman, regarded as the nation's No. 1 high school tight end prospect, watched the all-star action from the sidelines. He's still recovering from a knee injury he suffered this summer.
"It's tough not being able to play in this game, with the best players in the country," Breneman said Friday night during an interview with WTSP-TV. "Being around here this week...and seeing the best of the best compete was definitely worth it."
Breneman, who graduated high school early to attend Penn State, was a member of Team Highlight (black) along with quarterback Christian Hackenberg, another Nittany Lions recruit. Hackenberg is considered the top quarterback prospect in the country.
Cedar Cliff coach Jim Cantafio was a member of the Highlight squad's coaching staff -- which was led by former NFL head coach Herm Edwards. "I owe everything to Adam," said an emotional Cantafio prior to the game. "If you're not lucky enough to be coach and have an All-American, you can't get in this game to coach.
"It's just an incredible experience, that's all I can say."
Sean Covington kicked three field goals and Josh McNeil caught a touchdown pass to help Team Highlight beat Team Nitro 16-3.
McNeil caught a 6-yard scoring pass from Cooper Bateman early in the second quarter to give Highlight a 10-0 lead. Team Nitro cut it to 10-3 on Ryan Santoso's 44-yard field goal.
Tampa-area cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, headed to the University of Florida, was selected Team Highlight's MVP, and inside linebacker Reuben Foster was the MVP for Team Nitro.
Team Nitro rushed for minus-21 yards and threw four interceptions four times. Team Highlight avoided turnovers, but its quarterbacks combined to go 10 of 32 for 93 yards.
Video used in this story provided by WTSP-TV. Some information used in this story is courtesy of The Associated Press.
