finalists

Myrtle Beach, SC – Eight players have been
named as finalists for the 2007 Mr. Football
of South Carolina Award presented by
Rage Against the Haze.

The annual award is presented as part of
the SCADA Regions Bank North-South All-
Star Football Awards Ceremony on Friday,
December 7 at Myrtle Beach.

“The players selected this year represent
the outstanding talent of all high school
players from South Carolina,” said South
Carolina Athletic Coaches Association
Executive Director Keith Richardson. A
special panel of retired coaches and
administrators conducts the selection
process for the SCACA.

This year's Mr. Football candidates come
from South Carolina's largest high school
and the smallest football playing high
school.

A.J. Green is from Summerville, the biggest
school and Michael Ruff is from Whitmire,
the smallest football school in the state.

Mr. Football of South Carolina is chosen
from high school seniors who are
nominated by their coach, demonstrate
acceptable academic performance and be
of good character. A teacher or
administrator at their school must also
recommend candidates for the award.

“This honor is a reward for exceptional play
on the field this year. All of our nominees
have had outstanding senior seasons,”
added Richardson.

Last year Malcolm Long of Gaffney High
School was named Mr. Football. Many of
the past Mr. Football Award winners have
gone on to have outstanding college
careers. Chris Hope of Rock Hill, who won
the Mr. Football Award in 1997, was a
member of the Super Bowl winning
Pittsburgh Steelers team in 2006.

This will be the thirteenth year the award is
presented as part of the SCADA North-
South All-Star weekend activities at Myrtle
Beach. The Regions Bank North-South
Awards Ceremony will be held at the Myrtle
Beach High School auditorium. Ticket and
event information is available at www.
northsouthallstarfootball.com.