It wasn’t exactly Joe Montana/Steve Young to Jerry Rice, but the combination of Lincoln Huskey to Justin Rice was a lethal combination for the North in their 24-7 win over the South in the 77th Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl Saturday afternoon at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach.
The pair connected on touchdown passes for 67 and 21 yards and a third completion of 42 yards. Huskey passed for 145 yards on the day, 130 of them going to Rice.
Quarterback Landon Sharpe led the South offense with 157 passing yards including a 74 yard pass to Aaron Griffin in the final seconds of the first half to pull his side to within 17-7.
The South had a chance to cut into the lead late in the third quarter reaching the North two. On first and goal quarterback Corey Tillman lost a fumble at the one, and that pretty much sealed the win for the North.
The North capitalized on a pass interception for the final points. After punting the South back to the one, Isaiah Hill intercepted Sharpe at the 21. Five plays later Maurice Anderson ran in from the three for a 24-7 lead.
On their final two possessions the South did not advance past their own 40.
The North has won two of the last three games and now leads the all-time series 41-33-2.
At halftime, Richland Northeast quarterback Will Wilson of Richland Northeast was named the winner of Mr. Football in South Carolina for 2024.
Also Saturday in Spartanburg, North Carolina defeated South Carolina in the Shrine Bowl 49-24.
Postgame interviews from the field with Scott Earley
North coach Robert Mustar
South coach Ed Susi
North MVPs WR Justin Rice & LB Spencer Conn
South MVPs WR Aaron Griffin & DT Malachi Jefferson
Scott Earley with Mr. Football Will Wilson
