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Prep Roundup
Columnists Brian Meadows Brad NormanMembersLocal Connection› Iredell County Young Athletes Association› South Iredell Athletics Association › SHS athletics › WIHS athletics › NIHS athletics › SIHS athletics › LNHS athletics Syndicate RSSAP NASCAR NASCAR Features A look at this year's schedule A look at this year's drivers Differences between stock car and open-wheel racing NASCAR Research & Development Petty Enterprises splitter testing Aerodynamic testing in Concord's wind tunnel Top 10 moments in Daytona history Site StatisticsThis page has been viewed 774017 timesPage rendered in 0.2542 seconds Total Stories: 2136 Total Comments: 34 Most Recent Entry: 08/15/2008 01:53 pm Most Recent Comment on: 04/17/2008 11:54 pm Most Recent Visitor on: 02/09/2012 01:59 pm |
• Public Schools • Statesville High School • West Iredell High School • top story
2008 Jul-24
EAST-WEST ALL-STAR GAME
Marion ends high school career, looks forward to next levelBy Brad Norman GREENSBORO — Back to field a punt during Wednesday’s East-West All-Star game, Statesville graduate William Marion knew the ball wasn’t kicked hard enough to reach him in the air. But he knew something else, too. An alert eye the previous possession gave Marion a clue that he might be able to break a long return. “The last punt that was short, the (East) players walked to the ball,” Marion said. “So when I saw that, I knew I was going to make a play the next time.” And he did. With two East players slowing circling the ball as it bounced onto the turf, Marion made his move. He jogged slowly to the ball, as if he wasn’t going to touch it, before bursting forward and scooping it up. Marion split the two East defenders and took off in open space, rumbling nearly 40 yards before being hit out of bounds. It officially ended up as a 23-yard return after a holding penalty. “That looked like the typical William Marion return,” said Statesville head coach Randall Gusler, who was in attendance at Jamieson Stadium at Greensboro Grimsley. That was the most electrifying play of the game for the West, which lost to its East counterparts 27-3. It was also the high point of the game for Marion. He experienced some lows as well, though. Marion fumbled the opening kickoff after a vicious hit and later muffed a punt deep in West territory. “I know I need to step my game up,” Marion said of the all-star experience. “There’s other good players around. I have to play harder. I’ll do good if I play harder.” Marion became the 19th Statesville player to participate in the contest, and was the first since Cam Simpson played in the 2004 game. He felt at home in the defensive backfield, too, playing with a pair of familiar people. West Rowan’s Justin Avery and Marion both played every snap at safety, and West Iredell’s Patrick Moss lined up at cornerback to give the West a secondary comprised almost solely of players from the North Piedmont 3A. The trio helped hold the East to 6 total passing yards. “Our conference is real good,” Marion said. “It wasn’t a chump conference.” A large group of Statesville fans made the trek to Greensboro for the game, including Gusler, members of his coaching staff and Statesville principal Larry Rogers. “It’s great to have a player in an all-star game,” Gusler said. “I noticed a lot of people from Iredell County went to see the game. I know we had a lot of Statesville players there to support William, and I thought both William and Patrick Moss played well.” Some of that support included former South Iredell coach J.K. Adkins, who coached Marion for two seasons. Adkins and Marion spoke for several minutes on the field after the game. “I enjoy watching him play,” Adkins said. “He tried to make some things happen, and that’s him. He’s a playmaker and that’s what he does. “I really enjoy William. He’ll always be one of my favorite players as long as I coach. He’s a special kid and a very special athlete.” Undecided on a college choice entering the game, Marion also has the comfort of knowing the East-West game won’t be his last in pads. The 2007 R&L county football player of the year has decided to attend Vermilion Community College in Minnesota. He also doesn’t plan on staying too long. “I want to be there a year,” Marion said, “and then go to a Division I school somewhere. “Hopefully Clemson,” he added, noting he’s had several conversations with the program’s coaching staff. His former coach at Statesville wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see him at a Division I-A program in the future. “I’m hoping with Vermilion Community College, that will give him an opportunity to take care of some things and give him a chance to go on to the next level,” Gusler said. “I can definitely foresee him playing at a much bigger college.” Bookmarkz |
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