Four Greensboro-area players, including two from Grimsley, have been selected to play in this year’s Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on Dec. 20 at Spartanburg High School in South Carolina.
Grimsley tight end and Rutgers recruit DJ Howerton, Grimsley offensive tackle and Appalachian State recruit Nick Kashubara, Southeast Guilford offensive tackle and Division I prospect Micah Martin and Reidsville’s multi-position weapon Dionte Neal all were chosen to the team that was announced on Sunday.
All four were first-team all-area selections in 2024 and were named to this year’s preseason all-area team. Howerton, at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, is the most highly sought-after recruiting prospect, listed by 247Sports Composite as a three-star prospect ranked 34th in the state regardless of position and 48th in the nation for tight ends.
Neal, a two-time first team all-area selection, will have already begun his Reidsville basketball season by the time the nation’s oldest high school football all-star game takes place.
The Rams’ all-time career interceptions leader with 20 could be playing in his last organized football game as he has committed to play basketball at UNC Greensboro. His high school hoops career includes two state championships in three title-game appearances, two all-area player of the year selections and last year’s Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year award.
The Shrine Bowl, first played in 1937, features the top players from North Carolina against those from South Carolina in a game that benefits Shriners Hospitals.
The full roster:
North Carolina
Quarterbacks: Brody Norman, Mooresville; Jacob Smith, Reagan
Running backs: Jayson Franklin, 71st; Kamerin McDowell-Moore, Tarboro; Noah Terry, Cardinal Gibbons
Receivers: Brennan Chambers, Kinston; Devin Goldston, Leesville Road; Brody Keefe, Myers Park; Donte Nicholson, West Charlotte; Aiden Smalls, Clayton; Gavin Waddell, Rolesville
Tight Ends: Gavin Barber, Mooresville; DJ Howerton, Grimsley
Athletes: Dionte Neal, Reidsville; Braylon Peebles, Cardinal Gibbons
Offensive Line: Keith Foster, West Forsyth; Donovan Johnson, Pine Forest; Nick Kashubara, Grimsley; Micah Martin, Southeast Guilford; Adrian McCloud, West Forsyth; Harry Simpson, Reagan; Steven Stevenson, East Forsyth
Defensive Line: Chris Bispham, Havelock; Noah Clark, CE Jordan; Miles Funderburk, Weddington; Damaad Lewis, Myers Park; Manny Lewis, Marvin Ridge; Keshawn Stancil, Clayton
Linebackers: Dallas Brannon, Independence; Caleb Gordon, Ashbrook; Cason Jones, Mountain Heritage; Dorrian Medley, Hickory; Jaleel Parker, Jack Britt; Tyler Powell, Tarboro; Terande Spencer, Richmond; Jayden Williams, Clinton
Defensive Backs: KJ Bynes, Palisades; KD Cotton, Weddington; Ricky Myers, Independence; D’Various Surrat
Specialists: Will Doll, Hunt; Brett Morgan, Shelby
Bryant.roche@greensboro.com
@BRocheSports
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Bryant Roche
High School Sports Reporter
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