TEC Bowl: North Team Notes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MYRTLE BEACH </strong>| Saturday's Touchstone Energy Bowl wasn't a game to write home about offensively for the North team, but the defense took center stage to keep them in it, as the South team took home a 21-8 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Pointe QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771038' first='Malachi' last='Marshall'] </strong>looked sharp on the opening series, as he scrambled for a first down before connecting with JL Mann WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142457' first='Mikel' last='McClellan'] </strong>for a 26-yard TD reception for the North team's only score and lead of the afternoon at 6-0 with 9:24 to play in the first quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McClellan walked away with the offensive MVP for the contest, finishing with 2 catches for 38 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall's athleticism was on display as he made some plays with scrambles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keeping them in the game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first big play of the day defensively for the North team came with 2:11 to play in the first quarter as a ball sailed, right into the arms of CB <strong>Anthony Lyons </strong>from Greer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JL Mann DL <strong>Jacari Bennett </strong>(pictured above)<strong> </strong>was one of the standouts on the defensive line. He not only won the Defensive MVP of the contest, but he got penetration in the backfield and was tough to block. Bennett finished as the leader of the team in total tackles with six, two of which were for a loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett was thrilled with his experience for the entire week and he told Prep Redzone SC where he gets the energy from.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“This was amazing. I met some amazing people, good teammates, just chopping it up, having fun. I'm glad I can go out with a bang with this,” Bennett said. I got it from my head coach (Steve) Watson. He showed me the way and just led me here and (it) was great.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/12/tec-bowl-thursday-practice-notes/?itm_source=parsely-api">We told you earlier this week</a> about <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139304' first='Chris' last='Dixon'], </strong>the defensive lineman from South Pointe. He did not disappoint in his last game as a senior. He plugged up the hole right where the run was supposed to go for a fourth down stop with over 7 minutes to play before the half. He was second on the team with six total tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dorman DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144090' first='Brannon' last='Teamer'] </strong>showed excellent technique throughout the afternoon in knocking passes away. There was even one instance where a receiver was open and he knocked it away at just the right time. Teamer finished with 5 total tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The North team came up with the one special teams score of the afternoon as Boiling Springs LB <strong>JoJo Barrett </strong>blocked a punt in the end zone for a safety, as the North cut into the South's lead at 8-7 with 4:12 to play before the half. Barrett was active throughout the afternoon with 7 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Other North Team Notables</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Chapman QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='998700' first='Coleman' last='Gray'] </strong>made a few plays with his feet, showing an ability to elude defenders when plays broke down. He had seven rushes for 15 yards.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lewisville WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589011' first='Dion' last='Brown']</strong> finished with four catches for 38 yards.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gaffney DL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142651' first='Caron' last='Foster'] </strong>was also a name we heard often on the defensive line as he combined for a sack, before forcing a strip sack before the halftime break. Foster finished the afternoon with 2 tackles.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->