North tops South
Local all-stars make statement in win
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Sports Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Photo by SCOTT POWELL North all-star and Gaffney High defensive back Johnny Woods (24) reacts after tipping a ball that is intercepted by teammate Michael Coates, who returned it for a 59-yard touchdown.

Gaffney defensive back Johnny Woods had his hand in a momentum changing interception Saturday that helped the North defeat the South 26- 10.

Woods batted a pass from South quarterback Aramis Hilliary into the air. After the ball was bobbled by Union County safety Marcus Lott, North linebacker Michael Coates of Greenwood intercepted the pass and returned it for a 59-yard touchdown to give the South a 14-3 halftime lead.

It was a bizarre play in a game filled with turnovers, special teams miscues and highlight reel plays from a collection of South Carolina's best football players.

"They were looking to throw the ball over the middle all game. I tried to make the interception but I hit the ball into the air where he (Michael Coates) made the interception," Woods said. "I went downfield to block for him. I was happy when he scored."

Woods was one of four local football players selected for the North- South all star game. He had one tackle and a pass break up that resulted in Coates' touchdown.

Gaffney tight end David Dewberry used his blocking skills to help the North offense outgain the South, 278- 168. Dewberry had one carry for three yards.

Blacksburg linebacker Maurice Brown broke up a pass and was in on a couple tackles.

The South defense collected six turnovers and visited the red zone five times. The South had little to show for their effort on the scoreboard.

The South drove inside the North 7-yard line three times in the first half but could only manage a 25-yard field goal by Ryan Quigley. The North Myrtle Beach kicker had another field goal attempt blocked.

Hillary was stuffed twice on quarterback sneak attempts from the 1- yard line to end another scoring threat.

"We had a lot of great fun this week," Brown said. "We came together as a team and worked hard. We knew we were going to win."

The North took a 7-3 lead in the first quarter when wide receiver Charles Wright of McBee High leaped between two defenders to snare a 45-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Brennan of T.L. Hanna.

The North increased its lead to 20- 3 in the third when Westside defensive lineman Darrell Zellars blocked Quigley's punt. Clover's Tre Turner recovered the punt and returned it for an 11-yard touchdown.

After Quigley missed a 41-yard field goal, the South scored on a 2- yard touchdown run by Myrtle Beach's Eddie Jones.

The North sealed the victory when Westside running back Montez Hatten had a 1-yard run to cap a 12- play, 51-yard scoring march with five minutes left.

"This was a good week of fun. I made a lot of friends," Dewberry said. "It's nice to be rewarded by being selected to play in an all-star game. This is something I will remember for a long time."