Midlands high school football fans were treated to the start of a new tradition Saturday as the inaugural Columbia Metro Bowl at W. C. Hawkins Stadium in Irmo.

It featured an all-star lineup of seniors from Lexington, Richland, Kershaw and Newberry counties.

The East squad won 22-16, leading the entire game as Spring Valley’s Alex Herrera kicked field goals to open up the scoring and then to close the game out.

Defensive lineman Dewey Greene of A.C. Flora was named Overall MVP with 3 sacks and 6 solo tackles. Alex Herrera was the East Offensive MVP and Desean Smith of Lower Richland the East Defensive MVP.

Antonio Gantt of River Bluff was named the West Offensive MVP, with Jaewon Williams of Batesburg-Leesville the West Defensive MVP.

The East jumped out to a 17-3 first half lead, before the West to within 19-16 in the second half.

AHerrara’s 37 yard field goal opened up the scoring in the first quarter. In the second, Walyn Napper’s 65 yard touchdown pass to Jamal Henderson and Matthew Jamison’s 41 yard pass to Senika McKie for another score made it 17-0 before River Bluff’s Coltin Hallman kicked a 25- yard field goal for the West to make it 17-3 at the half.

After the East’s Danique Smith recorded a safety to make it 19-3, the West made a run with Irmo quarterback John Ragin’s 52 yard touchdown pass to Gray Collegiate Academy wide receiver Kyser Samuel and Airport quarterback Brandon Caughman’s 8 yard touchdown pass to Gantt.

A blocked extra point left the West within 3 points with 11:46 left in the game., With 1:46 left, the East’s Herrara extended late in the fourth quarter with another field goal.

The passing game made the difference for the East, outgaining the West 171-104 yards. Rushing for the West was -11 yards for the game, influenced by tackles for loss on sacks.

The East notched nine sacks for a combined loss of 62 yards, while the West only managed 2 sacks for 21 yards.