By LARRY VAUGHT

Former Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen and future UK quarterback Patrick Towles are going to be teammates — in a pizza eating contest.

Mark Collier of FortThomasMatters.com and Will Chambers will take on Lorenzen-Towles in the Mark vs. Food challenge to benefit the Brighton Center in northern Kentucky on Sunday.

Collier posted on the website: “Come to Raniero’s Pizza (Cold Spring on Martha Layne Collins Blyd.) this Sunday at 1:00 to watch a combined weight of 565 pounds in Jared Lorenzen and Patrick Towles take on a staggering 335 pounds in Will Chambers and myself. So come watch two University of Kentucky quarterbacks destroy two skinny guys in a pizza explosion.”

The teams will have 15 minutes to eat a 24-inch pizza, and I like the teammate Towles has to help him in this event that will benefit an organization in northern Kentucky that helps a lot of folks in need each year.

“We will be doing 10 of these this year in different locations with different challenges,” Collier said. “Since Raniero’s is typically closed on Sundays, afterward, Buffalo Wild Wings (right next door) is hosting an after-party playoff watch shindig, where 10 percent of all food sales will go towards our cause.”

Lorenzen helped coach Towles, who was named a Parade All-American last week, at Fort Thomas during the 2010 season and is a Highlands alum also. It’s great to see both Lorenzen and Towles taking time to help others and have a little fun at the same time. If you are in northern Kentucky, take time to go support this worthy event and also take advantage of a chance to meet Lorenzen and Towles.