Shippy aids in S.C. win
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Sports Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Gaffney's J.B. Shippy hauls down a North Carolina runner during Saturday's Shrine Bowl in Spartanburg. The Sandlappers went on to win the game, 31-24.

A touchdown midway through the fourth quarter by Blue Ridge's Julius Booker helped South Carolina put an end to a twogame losing streak in the Shrine Bowl Saturday as the Sandlappers edged North Carolina 31-24 at a wet, soggy Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg.

Gaffney linebacker J.B. Shippy was a catalyst in the Sandlapper victory, making several tackles and wreaking havoc in the Tar Heel backfield.

"I just wanted to do anything possible to help this team win," Shippy said. "We wanted to win and have fun and we accomplished both of those goals."

After the Tar Heels scored to take a 14- 10 lead early in the third quarter, two quick touchdown strikes by South Carolina quarterbacks Richard Mounce and Reid McCollum helped the Sandlappers gain a lead they would not relinquish.

Mounce, the Blythewood signal caller who earlier in the week was named as the Palmetto State's "Mr. Football" for 2007, also earned Offensive MVP honors after completing 9 of 18 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown.

"''It's been great. It's been a great two weeks, getting those awards,'' Mounce said. ''I had a lot of fun up here. The coaches are great. The players are great, and it was a great game. I don't think we could have had a better group of receivers out there. I had fun working with them.''

Also making an impact was Summerville's A.J. Green, who had four receptions going for 108 yards.

The Georgia commitment's 17-yard acrobatic touchdown grab in the third period dazzled many of the close to 10,000 people at the game, including Sandlapper coach Reggie Kennedy.

"We knew A.J. was a big play type of player and we wanted to do things to get him the ball," Kennedy said.

The offense was helped by a strong performance by the South Carolina defense, which held the North Carolina offense to 280 yards of total offense and forced fiveturnovers.