The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl continues its storied history with announcement of the rosters for its 76th edition. Clinton Red Devil Kadon Crawford was selected as a tight end for the North Squad.
Crawford has led the Red Devils to a 6-2 record in 2023 and was selected the Laurens County Touchdown Club Player of the Week on two occasions this season (see below). Crawford will be #80 playing for the North squad.
The North squad won last season’s game 22-14 with Bryson James, Clinton High running back and the Laurens County Touchdown Club’s Player of the Year, running in the winning touchdown with 1:03 to play.
Crawford is one of Clinton’s most versatile players. Most of his success has come at wide receiver; however, in the Red Devils' most recent win, 36-20 over Woodruff, he was called on to run from the wild devil formation in the “heavy” package, to combat rainy conditions, and he went 10 times for 59 yards and 2 running touchdowns — back-to-back in the 3rd and 4th quarters, 2 and 1 yard, respectively. The win improved the Red Devils to 2-0 in AAA Region 4 - Clinton hosts Chapman this Friday in a game that likely will decide the Region Championship and hosting status in the state playoffs (Clinton won last season, 48-20).
In Clinton's 22-21 loss to Chapman, Crawford threw a touchdown pass (35 yards) and had 99 yards receiving with 2 TDs, including a score with :00 on the game clock.
An opponent from that game, Coleman Gary, will be one of two quarterbacks also for the North squad. Gary passed for 150 yards and ran for 177 yards, accounting for 3 touchdowns, against Clinton.
Led by North head coach Will Young of Greer and South head coach Walt Wilson of Richland Northeast, the two staffs selected the top 88 available seniors for this year’s game, to be played December 9, at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach.
“This is a great honor to coach a game that has so much prestige,” Wilson said. “We will have some of the best talent in the state playing on our team. It’s been a pleasure watching them develop in this process.”
Said Young: “We were extremely pleased with the talent pool that was available to us during the selection process. We emphasized length, speed and character. We’re super excited to be able to participate in this great event and represent the great coaches we have in the Upper State.”
This year’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl is filled with players who have garnered college offers from around the country, including several to Power 5 programs.
The staff for each squad will arrive in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday, December 5, with players checking in that same morning. Teams will then have four days of on-field preparation, film work and entertainment prior to Saturday’s game.
That Thursday, December 7, players from both teams will be paired with local children for a holiday shopping spree at the Myrtle Beach Target. Later that day, both teams will have an evening outing at TopGolf that includes games and dinner.
The second annual Joanne Langfitt Showcase will wrap up Friday’s events, as 150 of the state’s top juniors, sophomores and freshmen participate in the skills-based combine and 7-on-7 competition. This year’s Joanne Langfitt will feature six teams from three zones of the state.
Altogether, this prestigious week is only improving for coaches, players and their families.
“The 2023 Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl will be our best yet,” game director Scott Earley said. “We’ve continued to find new and creative ways to further our event, all while putting together an even better experience to highlight our student-athletes and coaches and all they’ve accomplished.”
Advanced purchase tickets are now available online at TouchstoneEnergyBowl.com/tickets for $25. On game day at the stadium, tickets will cost $30 each. School group rates will also be available through South Coaches Athletics Coaches Association. Fans in attendance at the game will also see the halftime presentation of the 2023 Mr. Football award, given to the state’s top senior football player. Finalists for Mr. Football will be announced on Wednesday, October 25.
The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, formerly the North-South Game, was first played in 1948, with the 2020 cancellation being the only gap in its history. South Carolina's electric cooperatives became the title sponsor in 2013.
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The Laurens County Touchdown Club is proud to announce that for games played on September 29th, the Player of the week is senior outside linebacker and tight end/wide receiver and special teams player Kadon Crawford of Clinton High School.
Crawford is an outside linebacker, tight end/wide receiver and special teams player and captain for the Clinton High School Red Devils as they defeated Union County High School by a score of 51 – 28 last Friday night to begin region play.
Kadon Crawford, a Clinton High senior captain, set a new Clinton High School record for yards receiving in a game with 191 yards on seven receptions. Crawford had a 44 yard TD reception as well as a 50 yard catch to set up a Red Devil score. Defensively, Crawford recorded a Safety and had 7 tackles for loss and well as 3 quarterback pressures and 1 sack.
Head Coach Corey Fountain stated, “Kadon continues to be a leader on and off the field. He is a great competitor, he’s everywhere on the field and his relentlessness rubs off on the other players on the team.”
The Laurens County Touchdown Club honored Kadon Crawford on October 5th at the bi-monthly Touchdown Club meeting.
The Laurens County Touchdown Club meets every other Thursday throughout the football season at The Ridge located in Laurens at 301 Exchange Road and the public is invited. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15. All meetings are at Noon with the food service line opening at 11:45 am.
On behalf of the Touchdown Club Board of Directors, I would like to thank each of you for your support. Congratulations to senior Kadon Crawford – Clinton High School as the Laurens County Touchdown Club Player of the Week for September 29th.
Thanks and Best of Luck to all county teams this week,
Gene Simmons, President
Laurens County Touchdown Club
The Laurens County Touchdown Club is proud to announce that for games played on September 22nd, the Player of the week is senior linebacker and tight end/wide receiver Kadon Crawford of Clinton High School.
Crawford is an outside linebacker, tight end/wide receiver and special teams player and team leader for the Clinton High School Red Devils as they were defeated by South Aiken High School by a score of 41 – 30 Friday night in Aiken.
Kadon Crawford, a Clinton High senior captain, had 10.5 total tackles on defense all the while recording nine 1st hits and six total tackles as well. Crawford had three tackles for loss; one caused fumble and one fumble recovery.
Head Coach Corey Fountain states; “Kadon is a Swiss Army Knife for the Clinton Red Devils. He never comes off the field as he plays offense, defense and special teams. He is a vocal leader as well and leads by example.” He is simply a great representative of Red Devil Football.”
The Laurens County Touchdown Club will honor Crawford on October 5th at the bi-monthly Touchdown Club meeting. The meeting will be at noon at The Ridge in Laurens. Player of the Week awards this year is presented by Farm Bureau Insurance of Laurens County.
The October 5th meeting will feature highly popular Coach Mike Ayers, former head football coach at Wofford College, as our featured speaker.
The Laurens County Touchdown Club meets every other Thursday throughout the football season at The Ridge located in Laurens at 301 Exchange Road and the public is invited. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15. All meetings are at Noon with the food service line opening at 11:45 am -- Gene Simmons, President Laurens County Touchdown Club
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl tickets here.
