Warriors' Pridgen, Bulldogs' Frasier selected to play in Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on October 7, 2014 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

Dayshawn Pridgen huddled around the computer that projected the footage onto the wall with his defensive coaches.

Johnny Frasier sat in class as his phone rang.

Pridgen watched it happen live as excitement filled the air, and pride filled his heart.

Frasier read the text that officially made the inevitable known.

Although they found out in different fashion, Frasier and Pridgen were selected to play for the North Carolina squad in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas football game on Monday.

Frasier expected to be invited from the beginning. Fellow competitor Freddie Phillips, who will play for the South Carolina team, texted Frasier the news.

Pridgen, meanwhile, had no idea if he would be selected or not, so he watched from the edge of his seat. Just two weeks ago, Pridgen lost his mother, Jinifer, to pneumonia. She always told him he would make it to the Shrine Bowl.

He remained skeptical.

"There's only four corners in the entire state of North Carolina who make this game," Pridgen said. "So this was big. But I didn't think I would be here. She always did. I'm really excited to get this opportunity for her."

Pridgen will wear No. 42 in the game.

His mother was 42 years old.

"It's going to be really emotional (putting the jersey on)," Pridgen said. "I just want to show what I can do."

Frasier, who has already committed to Florida State University, doesn't have much more than personal pride to play for in the game. He's rushed for nearly 900 yards and 12 touchdowns out of the Bulldogs backfield this season.

Pridgen, on the other hand, hopes to get a chance to play at the next level. A lot depends on whether or not he gets scholarships offers will depend on his performance in this game.

But he's not feeling the pressure.

"This is all opportunity," Pridgen said. "I'm not supposed to be here. So just getting this chance to represent my coaches, my team, my school, and mostly my mom is exciting. I'm going out there trying to get it. I'm not trying to sit the bench or anything.

"I'm going out there to make plays and get mine."