Seven Pee Dee players named to Shrine Bowl

The Pee Dee again will be well represented in this year’s Shrine Bowl.

Seven players have been selected to the annual high school football all-star game, which pits some of the top talent from South Carolina and North Carolina.

Dillon’s Antuawn Blue, Lake City’s Sheldon Robinson, Marlboro County’s Thomas Teal, Manning’s John Fulton, Hartsville’s Will Lucas, Carvers Bay’s Davious Chestnut and Chesterfield’s Delarius Edwards will play in the game Dec. 19 at Wofford College.

The South Carolina squad will be coached by Johnsonville’s Lewis Lineberger. Carvers Bay’s Nate Thompson and North Myrtle Beach’s Denver Cromer, a former Mullins coach, are assistants.

Robinson has been a do-everything player for the Panthers this season and will play defensive back in the game. On offense, he has 497 total yards, nine touchdowns and has returned two punts for scores.

Robinson is attracting attention from several Division I schools and ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at Under Armour Combine in January.

“It is a privlege to be named one of the best players in South Carolina,” Robinson said. “It is an honor to be representing my teammates, my coaches, my family and Lake City.”

Blue, who was selected at receiver, leads the the Wildcats with 22 receptions for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He also leads the team with 614 all-purpose yards and has recorded 35 tackles as a defensive back.

Chestnut, who has verbally committed to Central Florida, has rushed for 987 yards and a team-high 15 touchdowns this season. On defense, he leads the team with three interceptions and has 48 tackles.

At 6-foot-1, 330 pounds, Teal is biggest player of the local contingent selected to play. The defensive lineman, who has verbally committed to N.C. State, has racked up 81 tackles, including a team-high 20 for loss.

“He is a leader and one of the better players in the state,” Marlboro coach Dean Boyd said. “He definitely deserves the opportunity.”

Fulton is one of the top prospects in the state and is being recruited by South Carolina, Clemson, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Alabama, among others. 

The defensive back has 29 tackles and 10 pass breakups and is averaging 21 yards on punt returns. He also has 14 catches for 267 yards and four TDs.

Lucas, a tight end, has caught six passes for 94 passes but his blocking has helped the Red Foxes’ rushing attack, which has amassed more than 3,000 yards this season

“It’s a tremendous honor. “Will’s the 34th player from Hartsville to be named to the Shrine Bowl team since 1948,” Hartsville coach Jeff Calabrese said. “He definitely deserves to be named to the team.”