Since 1995, South Carolina’s Mr. Football award has recognized the state’s top senior football player, an award for student athletes that excel not just on the field, but in the classroom too. This year, this distinction went to Northwestern High School’s Tamarion Watkins, who accepted the award during a halftime presentation at the 78th annual 2025 Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl on Dec. 13.
As an event sponsor, York Electric was proud to take part in this moment, with Marc Howie, YEC’s vice president of Community Development, presenting the award alongside Bob Paulling, CEO of Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative. The South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association organizes the event and selects each year’s recipient, while the state’s electric cooperatives serve as game sponsors.
Watkins was selected from an impressive group of finalists that included Dorman High School safety Kentavion Anderson, who is committed to Clemson University; South Pointe safety J’Zavien Currence and Carvers Bay offensive lineman Zyon Guiles, both committed to the University of South Carolina; and Dillon High School wide receiver Zamaurious Robertson, who is committed to the University of North Carolina.
Watkins is the first Mr. Football recipient from YEC’s service territory since 2016, when Northwestern’s Gage Maloney received the distinction. He now joins an elite field of local winners, including Jadeveon Clowney (2010), Stephon Gilmore (2008) and Chris Hope (1997), who all went on to impressive college and professional football careers.
Under Northwestern head coach Page Wofford, Watkins helped lead his team to a 50–5 record during his time as a Trojan. This included three appearances in the state championship and a 2024 Class 5A Division II title. As a highly ranked national recruit, Watkins was consistently listed as a top 10 prospect in South Carolina. He will graduate early and enroll at Texas A&M as an early enrollee.
Local stars shine
The Mr. Football presentation was not the only highlight of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl. Eighty-eight top high school athletes from across the state participated in the all-star game at Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach. The North squad included several local students, including:
- R.J. Brown, South Pointe High School
- Miles Wilson, South Pointe High School
- Mike Foster, Indian Land High School
- Chris Coleman, Northwestern High School
Congratulations to all the athletes that competed in the bowl game.
Sponsored shopping spree
On the Thursday before the Dec. 13 bowl game, players from each squad, North and South, were matched with elementary school students from Myrtle Beach Elementary and Myrtle Beach Early Childhood School for a shopping spree at Target.
Each child received a $150 gift card, provided by York Electric and South Carolina’s other Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. R.J. Brown, running back for South Pointe High School (right) and South all-star Tyleek Dukes of Kingstree High School, helped a student pick out an Elsa (from Frozen) princess dress.