Courtland Dillard made a name for himself in the Kentucky East-West All-Star Football Game, literally.

Courtland was mistakenly referred to as “Courtney” over the public address system at Houchens-Smith Stadium throughout Friday’s contest because the official game program listed him as “Courtney Dillard.”

The Apollo High School cornerback got to hear his alias one more time when he picked up the Most Valuable Player trophy for his two interceptions in West’s 20-3 win over the East All-Stars.

“The whole time I’ve been here they pronounced it Courtney,” Dillard lamented. “Hopefully they’ll know. But I just went by it. I was here to play.”

Dillard truly wanted to make a name for himself Friday because he entered the game as one of the few All-Stars without a single college scholarship.

“Too small,” the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Dillard said of the reasons the offers haven’t come.

“I want to play college ball,” Dillard said. “I’m praying this game helps me.”

Dillard’s West squad – which included players from Bowling Green, Russellville, Franklin-Simpson, Warren East, Warren Central and Edmonson County – put together a dominating defensive effort that shut down the East All-Stars.

East managed only 166 yards – including 95 throughout the first three quarters – plus forced three turnovers and recorded two sacks.

“Our defensive line was ferocious,” said Russellville coach John Myers, who guided the West squad. “They set the tone for this football game from the beginning.”

West needed only 1:29 to score 14 points and take command of Friday’s game.

Owensboro running back Yorel Shemwell scored on a 19-yard run with 3:25 left in the first half to give West a 10-0 lead.

Dillard then intercepted a pass at midfield and returned it to the East 9-yard-line on the first play of East’s ensuing possession. It resulted in a 17-0 West lead after reigning Mr. Football Deuce Finch of St. Xavier scored on a 1-yard run with 1:56 remaining.

“If it wasn’t for the defensive line, I probably wouldn’t have the interceptions,” Dillard said. “They were in there every time, every rep.”

Warren East’s Shenard Holton and Bowling Green’s Tevin Barksdale each contributed to West’s defense. They finished with four tackles apiece. Barksdale had four carries for 15 yards.

BGHS defensive lineman Elijah Young had two tackles and Russellville’s Craig Matthews had a tackle.

“We all came together and we played with a motor today,” Holton said. “All week our defense had been moving fast. Everybody was focused and I knew we were going to be ready.”

Only a lack of discipline late in the second quarter by West prevented a shutout.

West committed a pair of personal foul penalties on third-and-long situations to kept East’s drive alive.

East quarterback Cameron Smyth then hit Ryan Williams with a 38-yard pass to set up Lane Pumphrey’s 26-yard field goal to close the half and cut West’s lead to 17-3.

“If we don’t make two bonehead mistakes, we probably throw a shutout,” Myers said. “Those two mistakes really cost us, but our kids really gave a great effort all week long.

But Bowling Green’s Max Oldham pushed the West lead back to 20-3 on a 25-yard field goal with 2:14 left in the third quarter. Oldham also opened the game’s scoring with a 25-yard kick with 11:45 left in the second quarter.

West managed only 210 yards of total offense, but didn’t need much with its defense.

“It was just a great experience,” Myers said. “It was a great experience for all of us on this West side.”

East 0 3 0 0 – 3

West 0 17 3 0 – 20

Second quarter

West – Max Oldham 25 field goal, 11:45

West – Yorel Shemwell 19 run (Oldham kick), 3:25

West – Deuce Finch 1 run (Oldham kick), 1:56

East – Lane Pumphrey 26 field goal, :03

Third quarter

West – Oldham 25 field goal, 2:14