Local All-Stars see UNC rally against San Diego State

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

CHAPEL HILL — Before an announced crowd of 58,000 fans, several Richmond County All-Stars were honored inside Kenan Stadium Saturday night in Chapel Hill.

Submitted photo Academic All-Star Braxton Butler, left, is a fifth-grader at Monroe Avenue Elementary School. He attended the game with friends Clayton Currie and Ethan Burdock.

Submitted photo
Academic All-Star Braxton Butler, left, is a fifth-grader at Monroe Avenue Elementary School. He attended the game with friends Clayton Currie and Ethan Burdick.

The All-Stars were on hand to watch the University of North Carolina’s comeback win against San Diego State University Saturday night, 31-27. But these weren’t the next crop of athletes to excel on the gridiron. These All-Stars earned recognition from their work in the classroom. From across Richmond County and all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, UNC hosted its second annual Academic All-Star event.

The Tar Heels headed into the game with a  2-0 record and ranked nationally in two polls, No. 21 by the Associated Press and No. 23 in the Coaches’ Poll. Down 21-7 late in the third quarter, the Tar Hells rallied for 17 fourth-quarter points.

Submitted photo Dexter Mabe, a fifth-grader at Mineral Springs Elementary School, is an Academic All-Star.

Submitted photo
Dexter Mabe, a fifth-grader at Mineral Springs Elementary School, is an Academic All-Star.

Safety Tim Scott clinched the win by intercepting a pass from Aztecs quarterback Quinn Kaehler in the end zone with 14 seconds left. San Diego had gone the distance of the field and reached the UNC 3-yard line before the pick.

But for the All-Stars, their 15 seconds of fame came in the moments in between the first and second quarters as a special video message was played to honor the students’ academic excellence and dedication. And who knows? One or two of them might be future Tar Heels.

The day seemed all but tailor-made for the group. There was an Academic All-Stars informational booth along with other activities at the Ehringhaus field.  This area included opportunities to meet Carolina student athletes, have their photo taken with national championship trophies and Carolina mascots, and learn more about the University of North Carolina and Carolina Athletics.

Submitted photo Academic All-Star Randi "Ree" Shankle, a fourth-grader at East Rockingham Elementary School.

Submitted photo
Academic All-Star Randi “Ree” Shankle, a fourth-grader at East Rockingham Elementary School.

Tar Heel Town is a popular gameday destination for all Tar Heel fans, and included the football team’s pre game “Victory Walk” two and one-half hours prior to kickoff.  All-Stars cheered on the coaches and players as they made their way through Tar Heel Town and entered Kenan Stadium.  Tar Heel Town also featured live music, the Marching Tar Heels Band, face painting, interactive activities for fans of all ages and more.

The All-Stars also had the opportunity to get on the field after the game.

Submitted photo Brian Kendall attended the Academic All star game with his Academic All star stepdaughter, Savanna Harrelson (left) along with her two friends Kayleigh Fields, center, and Macy Faw  They are all sixth-graders at Rockingham Middle School.

Submitted photo
Brian Kendall attended the Academic All star game with his Academic All star stepdaughter, Savanna Harrelson (left) along with her two friends Kayleigh Fields, center, and Macy Faw They are all sixth-graders at Rockingham Middle School.

Submitted photo Analee Wyand, a seventh-grader at Rockingham Middle School, received Academic All-Star accolades.

Submitted photo
Analee Wyand, a seventh-grader at Rockingham Middle School, received Academic All-Star accolades.

Filed in: Latest Headlines, Sports

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