Kingsville, TX --  WSSU's Martin Hicks led the East team in rushing on Friday evening with 76 yards and a touchdown yet the West team, behind the strong arm of Wesley Beschorner built up a 33-7 halftime lead and cruised to a record-breaking 49-33 win over the East Squad in the Sixth Annual Cactus Bowl Game Friday night at Javelina Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Beschorner, of the University of South Dakota, completed 12-of-17 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 87 yards and another touchdown in a little over a half of play. He set Cactus Bowl records for total yards (387), passing yards, long pass (72) and the record for touchdown passes. For his play he was named Cactus Bowl Offensive MVP.

Richie Ross (Nebraska-Kearney) and Tonae Martin (West Texas A&M) each reached the 100-yard mark in receiving for the West Squad. Ross' 131 yards set a new Cactus Bowl record, while his two touchdown receptions tied the previous mark. His 72-yard touchdown reception was a new record for longest reception.

But the records were not limited to the offensive side of the ball. Abilene Christian's Clayton Farrell was a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line, recording four sacks, forcing one fumble and recording a sack for a safety. His sack total and yards lost (34) were both Cactus Bowl records. Farrell earned Cactus Bowl Defensive MVP for his play. Picking up the Jim Langer Award for the top offensive lineman was Nick Hageman of South Dakota.

23 records were tied or broken in the game. The West Squad broke the team records for points (49), total yards (560), passing yardage (408) and most passing touchdowns (4).

Though they lost the game the East had strong performances as well. Joey Conrad of Glenville State threw for 135 yards and a Cactus Bowl record-tying three touchdowns. Martin Hicks of Winston Salem State had 76 yards rushing and a touchdown. Anthony Robinson of Carson Newman had eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Kelvin Morris of West Georgia and Tim Thompson of Valdosta State also had seven tackles in the game.

Hicks, a senior running back for the Rams capped a five-play, 53-yard drive that encompassed 1:58 of playing time with a 25-yard touchdown run in the early stages of the fourth quarter.  Hicks was not the only CIAA player to impress as North Carolina Central's Tory Ross reeled in a nine-yard touchdown pass in the game as well.

The game started off slow with the West committing turnovers on its first two possessions. But the defense stiffened and held the East scoreless both times. Finally the West broke through with the insertion of Beschorner into the lineup. He directed a four-play, 84-yard drive, which culminated in a beautiful 43-yard strike to Martin. After an East punt Beschorner took over again. He took off for a 38-yard run on the first play, then finished the drive with a five-yard quarterback sneak to increase the lead to 14-0 just five seconds into the second quarter.

After the East responded with a touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Joey Conrad to Tory Ross, Beschorner took over again. He hit Richie Ross with a perfect over-the-shoulder pass in stride and Ross took it to the house, giving the West a 21-7 lead. As if catching the good vibes, Pittsburg State's Andy Majors directed a scoring drive of his own, leading the West to a touchdown, with Majors hitting Ross with a 47-yard strike to give the West a 27-7 lead. Boeschorner wrapped up the memorable first half with a 49-yard bomb to Justin Gallas of Colorado Mines to give the West a 33-7 lead at the break.

With the win the West improved to 8-4-1 in the game and ended a streak of three East wins in the last four games. The Cactus Bowl game is played every January at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville. It is the only postseason all-star game which is made up of players from Division II schools only. Proceeds from the game go to benefit the Shriner's Children's Hospital.

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