North Carolina’s Strong Rushing Attack Leads tar Heels To 49-24 Shrine Bowl Win Over South Carolina In 88th Annual Shrine Bowl All-Star Game In Spartanburg
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Spartanburg—The 88th annual Shrine Bowl all-star game will be remembered for numerous Sandlapper players opting-out of the game, to join their chosen college team’s bowl practices, and this situation worked in the favor of North Carolina, who used a 300-yard rushing attack to defeat the Sandlappers 49-24 at Spartanburg High School on December, 21st.
After the game Sandlapper head coach Reggie Kennedy (Manning High) told the HSSR from the field, “Our kids fought hard, and they gave great effort, but we had too many mistakes and penalties and these things happen is games,” said Coach Kennedy. “if we would have had the 8 players, who opted out of the game, it would have made a big difference in the game, but we were able to find some quality replacement players also.
“Myself, and our coaching staff, got to coach some really good players from all over the state, and we got to coach an extra week of football,” said Coach Kennedy. “It was a very positive experience for the most part and we all feel blessed to be able to work with these players.”
Coach Kennedy, just concluded a very successful 11-2 season at manning this season, advancing all the way to the AA Lower State finals. He concluded the 2024 season with a career record of 197-148 and he should reach 200 career wins early in the 2025 season.
“I am definitely coming back to coach next season,” said Coach Kennedy after the Shrine Bowl game. “I am not going to go out like this. I am looking forward to next season.”
Irmo quarterback AJ Brand was named the South Carolina Offensive MVP for the game. The Virginia Tech signee completed 6-of-12 passes for 62 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 26 yards on seven carries. “I feel good about being an MVP but I think I could have had a better performance out here for my team today,” said Brand. “It was a great experience meeting so many players from around the state this week and we all came out and played hard today.”
Brand said he is looking forward to moving on to Virginia Tech after an outstanding career at Irmo High School. “I hope to become a better player and a better man at Virginia Tech,” said Brand. “I am very thankful for the opportunity they have given me.”
The Sandlapper Defensive MVP was Spartanburg linebacker Cam Smith, who was playing on his home field for the last time. “Being on my home field, and being able to play in the Shrine Bowl, and represent my school, is very exciting,” said Smith. “To be named the defensive MVP with my whole community watching me is very special and it is a memory I will never forget.”
Smith had 6.5 tackles for the game including one TFL.
Three other players for the Sandlappers also had very strong performances and they deserve honorable mention MVP shout-outs. Northwestern High quarterback Finley Polk, fresh off leading his team to the 2024 Div. II AAAAA state title win (34-31) over Irmo had a good game completing 9-of-14 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Polk also rushed three times for 19 yards. Polk has signed with Gardner Webb.
Stephen Collier, (6-2, 220) a receiver from River Bluff, led receivers from both teams in the all-star game with six catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns, one from 67 yards. Collier has signed with East Carolina.
The leading tackler for the Sandlappers was Blackville-Hilda outside linebacker Jaquel Holman (6-0,200) who had an excellent game with 7.5 tackles, the most of any player on either team. Holman has signed with South Carolina.
The North Carolina Offensive MVP was Jonathan Williams of Havelock High headed to East Carolina and he scored four touchdowns in the game. The North Carolina “Defensive MVP” was Ronalon Renwick of Cleveland High and he is headed to the Air Force Academy.
The North Carolina team was head coached by Richard Bailey of Scotland County High, NC.
Soth Carolina scored first in the game following a seven-play drive that bogged down at the Tar Heel 11-yard line. With 11:03 remaining in the first period Gray Dangerfield of James Island, headed to Tennessee, made a 28-yard field goal to put the Sandlappers up 3-0.
With 1:51 left in the first period North Carolina went up 6-3 on a two-yard run by Williams capping off a 14-play drive that had started at their own 38-yrd line. The PAT was blocked.
With 10:59 left in the second period Polk found Collier wide open down the center of the field for a 67-yard touchdown reception and Dangerfield’s PAT made it 10-6 Sandlapper lead at this point.
North Carolina came back scoring on a 63-yard run right up the middle with 4:58 left in the first half and a two- point conversion run by Williams put the Tar Heels up for good 14-10. North Carolina extended their lead to 21-10 at the half when Williams scored on a two-yard run with 17 seconds left. After William Miller’s PAT the score was 21-10 at the break.
In the third period the Tar Heels got two insurance scores to take a 35-10 lead into the fourth period. Williams scored on a one-yard run with 5:17 left in the third and Donovan Darden returned a pick six for 52 yards for the other third quarter score. Miller added both PAT’s.
The Sandlappers scored first in the final period on a 49-yard pass from Polk to Gaffney wide receiver Jamarcus Smith with 13:45 left and Dangerfield’s PAT cut the deficit to 35-17 at that point.
North Carolina increased their lead to 42-17 with 9:33 left on a 44-yard run by Irving Brown of Wallace-Rose Hill High and Miller’s added the PAT.
With 5:31 left Brand tossed a 12-yard pass to Collier for a touchdown and Dangerfield’s PAT made it a 42-24 game.
With 1:43 left in the game North Carolina converted a trick play into the final score of the game. QB Dan Mahan of Williams flipped the ball to receiver Jamien Little of Hickory High who then tossed a 51-yard scoring reception to (Jonathan) Williams and Miller’s PAT closed out the scoring, giving the Tar Heels a 49-24 win in the 88th Shrine Bowl.
Additional stats leaders for North Carolina included RB Jason Willis of Bunker Hill High who led all-rushers, on either team, with 126 net yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns. Irving Brown of Wallace-Rose Hill added 83 yards on 10 carries and one TD. Brady Stober of Hickory High contributed 58 yards on seven carries. Jonathan Williams netted 27 yards and three touchdowns and he added a fourth score on a 51- yard reception.
Jarel Bolder of Forest Hills and Little caught two passes each for the Tar Heels. Mahan was the top passer for NC completing 5-of-10 passes 26 yards.
The top three Tar Heel tacklers were Brandon Rose of Mallard Creek (6), while Kendric Davis of Palisades High added (4.5) along with LB Ryan Bassani of North Lincoln High (4.5).
Additional stats leaders for SC were RB Tydarion Grier of Fairfield Central (8-for-58) along with Jevon Edwards of South Aiken (5-of14). Smith had four catches for 90 yards and one TD while Kentucky signee Mikkell Skinner of Riverside and Jaiden Deweese of Ashley Ridge had two catches each.
Behind Holman and Cam Smith on the Sandlapper tackle index was Sumter High DE Anthony Addison with 5.5 tackles and Addison has signed with South Carolina.
South Carolina leads the over-all series in wins.
