5 local players chosen for North-South

SMITH

By TREVOR ZION BAUKNIGHT
Item Sports Writer

When the rosters for the 73rd Annual Shrine Bowl were released last week with only one local player — Manning HIgh School's John Fulton — on the South Carolina roster, it left some local fans wondering why some of their favorite players were left off the list.

On Tuesday, the rosters for the South Carolina Auto Dealers Association's North-South All-Star Game were released, and there was some consolation in the fact that five local players had been selected to the South roster.

Sumter High offensive lineman Marques Pair and wide receiver Tyler Smith, Crestwood defensive lineman Travis McConico, Manning lineman Dexter Morant and Scott's Branch running back Quinton Singleton were chosen to represent the area in the contest.

The North-South Game will take place on Dec. 12 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach.

Orangeburg-Wilkinson head coach Tommy Brown is the South head coach. Brown said his selections were based on finding mobile athletes for the spread offense he likes to run.

“I feel blessed for the opportunity to work with my staff to pick the players that best fit what we want to do,” Brown said in a release when the rosters were released. “People have to realize we can't pick everybody and we have to select players that fit our system. We want to run the ball and we feel like we got the right players.”

Sumter head coach Paul Sorrells said he was disappointed for those who were overlooked, but said he understands the process.

“We'd love to have two in the Shrine Bowl and two in the North-South,” Sorrells said. “That's your ultimate dream, and we had that last year and we've had that at other times. There are a few kids that I really hate didn't get chosen, (quarterback) Stephen Curtis and (defensive lineman) Joseph Oxendine to name a couple that I think were deserving to play in one of them, but I don't make the selections.

“Those (coaches) are saddled with doing a job,” he added. “If you're left behind, it doesn't mean you're not one of the best, it just depends on what they're trying to do and what they need. We're just glad to have Marques and Tyler in there and we're excited for them.”

Crestwood head coach Keith Crolley, who served as the defensive line coach for last year's South Carolina Shrine Bowl squad, said he's been on the other side of the issue as well and knows selecting a team can be a tough job. Still, he said, it makes it that much more special when someone is recognized because there are so many quality players in the state.

“I'd love to have another one going with (McConico), but he deserves it. He's a good player,” Crolley said. “But I've been in it the last couple of years, and it's tough. As a player, you can't take it as a slap in your face that you didn't get selected, because there are a lot of good players that didn't.

“There are always a lot of good players left out, especially in this state,” he added. “When you get selected, you know that you're among the best of the best, because, per capita, what we put out in product each year, these kids really come out and work hard. I'm extremely proud of him.”

McConico is third on the Crestwood team with 72 tackles, including 16 for loss and six quarterback sacks. He said he was surprised to find out he was on the team, but said his immediate focus is on the 3A state playoffs.

“I'm trying to win a championship right now and get a ring before I leave,” he said. “Then I'll get prepared for the North-South. I'm just going to go out and play my best, and if I do that, hopefully the scouts will look at me.”

For some, like Manning's Morant, who committed verbally to the University of Georgia, and Sumter's Pair, bound for Tennessee, the North-South game isn't about getting noticed.

“I just expect to play football and have a good time with the rest of the guys that made it, and enjoy it — it's my last year,” Pair said. “I've already made my commitment, so it's about helping the person next to me — he might be able to go to the same school as me.”

Sorrells said Pair and Smith are two of the best at what they do.

“It's special for them, and those two guys are very deserving of it,” Sorrells said. “Marques, I would consider him one of of the top linemen in the state. He does a great job for us, and we're very excited about him being given the opportunity to do that.

“Tyler, again, I don't think there's a better receiver anywhere than Tyler Smith,” Sorrells said. “He's had a tremendous couple of years for us — big, old, tall, strong, a target that is reliable to catch the football. He's a good kid, and we're really excited about him getting the chance to go down there and show what he can do. He's a tremendous part of our success this year.”

Singleton is the first Scott's Branch player to be selected for a postseason all-star game.

“It's a privilege to be the first in the North-South game,” said Singleton, who has rushed 190 times for 1,379 yards and 13 touchdowns this season for the Eagles. “I worked hard for it, we all did.

“(Scott's Branch head) Coach (Leonard) Johnson said we'd turn the program around if we'd just believe and run the system,” added Singleton. “All of us are products of the system and our success has come from that. I have a lot of confidence in my linemen, and I trust them and believe in them. They've gotten me all the success I've gotten.”

Morant said he had making one of the all-star rosters in the back of his mind, but missed four games with a high ankle sprain and said he was just glad to be able to get back on the field.

“I'm getting back healthy and ready to start the playoffs,” Morant said. “I'm going there to do my job and be good, but as far as getting looks and stuff, there's no pressure.”

PAIR

MORANT

McCONICO