EAST-WEST FOOTBALL: West team includes Hibriten star, West Caldwell coach

HobbsDailyReport.com

GREENSBORO – Whatever happens for the West All-Star football team on Wednesday night could easily have players and coaches from Greater Hickory area conferences at the center of the outcome.

The state’s top 2016 seniors play at Greensboro Grimsley High at 8 p.m., and there are 10 area players or coaches on the West roster, plus a Lenoir-Rhyne University graduate working as an East assistant coach.

Hibriten’s Chris Scott is the most local player on the West roster, listed as a linebacker, and there are seven players from the South Mountain Athletic 2A-3A.

The West head coach is Kings Mountain’s head football coach, Greg Lloyd, and one of his assistants is the new head football coach at West Caldwell, Devore Holman, Sr. (he was at Davie County when selected to coach in the game).

From the SMAC 2A-3A, Shelby and Kings Mountain each have two players for the West and Burns, Crest and Chase each have one.

Crest wide receiver Tyshun Odom signed to play at LRU.

The East assistant who is a graduate of LRU and former football player there is Reggie Davis, who is the head football coach at Wake Forest High.

The teams have been in Greensboro since last Friday and they each had eight practice sessions scheduled, including two-a-days on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

Admission at Grimsley’s Jamieson Stadium is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Parking is free and the annual fireworks program is scheduled at halftime.

PROFILES

(as provided by NCCA)

PLAYERS

WEST

CHRIS SCOTT, LB, HIBRITEN (5-11, 250)

Coached by Clay Lewis… as senior, named all-Northwestern 3A-4A … had 37 tackles, nine for lost yardage, eight sacks, one interception and four pass breakups… on offense, rushed for 1,370 yards and 31 TDs and won conference Offensive Player of the Year… All-league as a junior with 76 tackles (three for lost yardage, two sacks, two pass breakups), plus rushed for 1,103 yards and eight TDs…also played basketball… signed with St. Andrews.

Quote: “I am excited and honored to be given this opportunity to represent the West. I hope to gain new friends.”

ZACH ANDERSON, DL, CHASE (6-3, 285)

Coached by Daniel Bailey… as senior, named All-South Mountain Athletic 2A-3A… averaged six solo tackles per game (1.5 for a loss, had 2 interceptions, returned one for a TD)… all-conference as a sophomore… also played basketball and competed in track and field… signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Wake Forest, where he will major in business…for his career, he plans to take over the family business of temp service.

Quote: “Playing in the game is a great opportunity to represent Western North Carolina, my family, community, and Chase High.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to meet other players across (the state) that love the game of football and to compete on a higher level before college.”

DARRIS ARCHIE, OL, SHELBY (6-0, 285)

Coached by Lance Ware… as senior, played on state championship team….as junior, named team’s best offensive lineman on a state title team… as sophomore, played on state championship team…undecided about college he will attend…plans to major in chemistry…wants to pursue a career as a pharmacist…

Quote: “I expect to use this opportunity to improve my craft as an offensive lineman.”

AARON JOLLY, DB, SHELBY (5-11, 175)

Coached by Lance Ware… also competed in track and field…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Pembroke, where he will major in nursing… wants to pursue a career in football.

Quote: “I am honored to be invited to play in the all-star game as one of the best players in North Carolina. I expect to gain knowledge and see my skill against the best.”

DARIAN McCLAIN, LB, KINGS MOUNTAIN (5-8, 195)

Coached by Greg Lloyd… as senior, named All-South Mountain Athletic 2A-3A…All-Gaston Gazette, team MVP… had 75 tackles… on offense, rushed for 17 TDs… plans to major in computer engineering…wants to pursue a career as a computer engineer…

Quote: “I am extremely honored and excited about the opportunity to play in the all-star game. I look forward to representing Kings Mountain High School in a positive way. I am also very excited to be competing with such talented players from across the state.”

TYSHUN ODOM, WR, CREST (5-11, 175)

Coached by Cort Radford… as senior, named all-county, Cleveland County Co-Player of the Year… set school single season record for receptions with 81… had 1,353 receiving yards and 14 TDs… also set school record for most career receiving yards, with 3,167, and career receptions, with 179…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Lenoir-Rhyne, where he will major in criminal justice.

Quote: “I feel excited about participating in the all-star game, and I’m looking forward to this opportunity. Also, I am wanting to get better at my position and make new friends.”

NOAH SANDERS, OL, BURNS (6-1, 313)

Coached by David Devine… as senior, named All-South Mountain Athletic 2A-3A and won schools’ Offensive Lineman Award… had 53 knockdowns… as junior, Strongest Dog Award recipient… plans to major in criminology… wants to pursue a career as a detective.

Quote: “It is a great honor to be selected for the East-West All-Star game. I am extremely excited to be able to play and compete with the best talent in North Carolina.

“I look forward to representing my school, my community, and my family through this experience.

“I am looking forward to competing against fellow all-stars, and I’m also excited to get the opportunity to work with the all-star coaches.”

COOPER SHORT, OL, KINGS MOUNTAIN (6-0, 250)

Coached by Greg Lloyd… as senior, named team captain, Player of the Week, Scholar Athlete… Captain’s Award recipient…Wendy’s High School Heisman…student body president…plans to play at Presbyterian College as a walk-on…will major in history…wants to pursue a career as a pastor.

Quote: “I’m really excited to be playing in the all-star game. I hope to make good memories playing with some of the best players in the state.

“It’s an honor to be selected, and I hope I can make some connections and relationships that will continue as I play on the next level.”

COACHES

WEST

GREG LLOYD, HEAD COACH, KINGS MOUNTAIN

Entering his 11th season at Kings Mountain High, where his teams have gone 66-58 in 10 seasons…Has a career record of 82-67 in 12 seasons… his teams have won two conference titles and reached state playoffs seven times… twice named conference coach of the year… made 7 state playoff appearances….twice named Conference Coach of the Year… 2006 Gaston Gazette Coach of the Year… previously served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator on teams that won three state championships at Crest High and as head coach at East Gaston…1992 graduate of Crest High where he was named all-conference in baseball and football… named Player of the Year in baseball and held the school record for interceptions with 8 in 1991….2002 graduate of Garner Webb.

Quote: “I am extremely honored and excited to be coaching for the West in this year’s NCCA East-West All-Star Game. Representing the NCCA is something I take very seriously.

“I look forward to working with the excellent players and coaches that have been selected for this year’s game.”

DeVORE HOLMAN, SR., ASSISTANT, WEST CALDWELL

Was defensive coordinator, associate head coach, head coach and defensive line coach for 324 years at Davie County High and is now West Caldwell’s new head football coach… his teams have made two playoff appearances… also previously served as boys’ head track and field coach at Davie County… 1984 graduate of Davie County High where played football and was the recipient of the Golden Helmet Award his senior year… attended Winston-Salem State University and the University of Phoenix.

Quote: “This will be a great honor to coach in the NCCA East-West All-Star Game. It will be another platform to mentor to young men.”

EAST

REGGIE LUCAS, ASSISTANT COACH (LRU graduate)

Entering his ninth season at Wake Forest High, where he has compiled a career record of 102-15… his teams have won six conference titles and made four state playoff appearances, including finishing as state runners-up three times and winning the 2016 4AA state championship…named a conference coach of the year five times… previously coached football and basketball at Wake Forest Middle School and coached basketball at Wake Forest High in 2008…1989 graduate of Wake Forest High where he was named all-conference in football, basketball, and baseball…1994 graduate of Lenoir Rhyne University.

Quote: “It’s an honor to be considered to coach in this all-star game. I’ve had players to participate and was very proud to have them represent Wake Forest.

Coaching is a chance for me to give back to my community and help prepare young men for life after high school.

“I’m looking forward to working with the best coaches in North Carolina and continuing to learn about the game of football. The NCCA All-Star week will be a time for athlete to build friendships and play one last time with the best players across (the state).

“The game of football is a great tool to teach young men commitment, accountability and trust.”