LAURINBURG — Recent graduate Chris Williams represented the Fighting Scots one last time on Wednesday participating in the 70th annual East-West All-Star football game in Greensboro.

The East-West All-Star Games were founded in 1949 by Coach Bob Jamieson of Grimsley High School and Smith Barrier, the sports editor of the Greensboro Daily News, to help finance the North Carolina Coaches Association coaching clinic.

The games feature players who have just graduated from high school – the best from the Eastern half of North Carolina against the best from the West.

Currently, the games feature 32 football players and 6 coaches on each team, 16 players and one coach on each of the four soccer teams, and 10 players and two coaches for each in basketball team. In all, 168 players, 24 coaches, six athletic trainers and 17 officials are honored each summer.

Traditionally, the games are held during the third week of July in conjunction with the state’s coaching Clinic. The games are played on consecutive nights beginning with the two basketball games on Monday. Soccer follows on Tuesday and football is on Wednesday.

This year, the East All-Stars struck first, taking a 7-0 lead on a 22-yard pass from Hoggard quarterback Josh Jones to Southeast Raleigh’s Justin Harrington. The West responded with a 33-yard field goal from Reagan’s Sage Costen.

The two teams went scoreless in the second quarter before the East extended its lead to 14-3 with a 44-yard pass from Jones to Jacksonville’s Chris Coleman. The West went to the run game to cut their deficit to four points with a 4-yard touchdown from Monroe’s McKinley Nelson.

The West defense then capitalized on a fumble recovery to take a three-point lead, 17-14. In the fourth quarter, the West extended its lead with a 57-yard touchdown pass from Alexander Central’s Gunnar Anderson to Hendersonville’s Tyler Landrum.

With 15 seconds left on the clock, the East scored the final touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Zach Sabdo to Coleman but the points were too little, too late as the West earned the 23-21 victory.

During the game, Williams tallied six tackles — four solo and two assisted. The Scots’ former linebacker and current SAC-8 Defensive Player of the Year was recognized during the game for his academic successes. Williams earned an individual award for having the highest GPA.

In just a few weeks, Williams will trade his Scotland blue and white for Aggie blue and gold. Williams, along with twin brother Tim, will continue their football careers at North Carolina A&T State University this fall.

Chris plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, which deals with the design, construction and use of machines. Mechanical engineers manufacture everything from medical devices to batteries.

During his tenure with the Fighting Scots, Williams led the defense with 107 solo tackles, 12 for a loss, two sacks, two caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Amber Hatten-Staley can be reached at 910-506-3170 or [email protected].

Courtesy photo Scotland graduate Chris Williams represented the Fighting Scots on Wednesday in Greensboro as part of the 70th annual East-West All-Star football game. Williams was a member of the East team and was presented with an award for having the highest GPA. He was joined by Scotland High School head coach Richard Bailey.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_37376166_1888303974541159_2214991321188270080_o.jpgCourtesy photo Scotland graduate Chris Williams represented the Fighting Scots on Wednesday in Greensboro as part of the 70th annual East-West All-Star football game. Williams was a member of the East team and was presented with an award for having the highest GPA. He was joined by Scotland High School head coach Richard Bailey.

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https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Chris-Williams.jpgWilliams

By Amber Hatten-Staley

Sports editor