Guilford County kids/young men getting ready for the EAST-WEST All-Star football experience:Banks, Grimes, Hickman, Ogunjobi and Petit

*****We will try and bring you some more of the area players later on today, plus athletes from the other sports, but for now here is a look at the Guilford County players, that are getting ready to play in the East-West All-Star football game next Wednesday night at Jamieson Stadium, on the Grimsley High School campus….*****

Brandon Banks
Brandon…Southwest Guilford High…6-3, 248…defensive lineman…coached by Scott Schwarzer…as senior, named All-Conference, school Defensive MVP…as junior, named All-Conference, Conference Defensive Player of the Year…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Charlotte where he will major in mechanical engineering…wants to pursue a career in the aviation or automotive industry…his Mom and Dad are his role models…says “I feel excited to be playing in the all-star game. I get a chance to play with other players and new coaches. It is a great honor to be chosen to play in the all-star games. I will never forget this opportunity.”

Tray Grimes
Tray…Ragsdale High…6-0, 240…linebacker…coached by Tommy Norwood…as senior, named All-Conference, Conference Defensive Player of the Year…had 107 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries…as junior, named All-Conference…had 83 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries…as sophomore, had 72 tackles and 2 sacks…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Winston-Salem State University where he will major in history education….wants to pursue a career as a teacher and coach…his father is his role model…favorite pro athlete is Ray Lewis…says “I am very honored to be selected for this prestigious game. I am looking forward to gaining more experience and exposure. I also want to gain life-long friends that are here with the same opportunity and honor as I am.”

Blake Hickman
Blake…Page High…6-0, 210…linebacker…coached by Kevin Gillespie…as senior, named NCPrep All-State, All-Conference, 4AA Defensive Player of the Year…played on 4AA state championship team…had 188 tackles – 27 for losses, 5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumbled returned for a TD…as junior, named All-Conference, All-State, All-Area…had 145 tackles – 21 for losses, 7 sacks…plans to attend UNC Pembroke where he will major in physical therapy or pre-pharmacy…wants to pursue a career as a physical therapist or pharmacist…his mother is his role model…favorite pro athlete is Ed Reed…says “I feel honored and excited to be selected in a prestigious game I watched every year growing up. I’m expecting an exciting experience working with new coaches and great players!”

Larry Ogunjobi
Larry…Ragsdale High…6-3 ½, 270…defensive line…coached by Tommy Norwood…as senior, named All-Conference, All-Area, team Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman…had 38 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery…as junior, named All-Conference…had 37 tackles, 2 sacks…also named All-Conference in track and field…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Charlotte where he will major in biology…wants to pursue a medical career…his parents and coaches are his role models…favorite college athlete is Dontari Poe…favorite pro athlete is Nick Farley…says he feels “blessed” to be playing in the all-star game. “It’s an amazing opportunity to play with and against all the best players in the state. It’s humbling to know that all your hard work really pays off.”

Mark Petit
Mark…Western Guilford High…6-4, 230…linebacker…coached by Chris Causey…named All-Conference…as junior, named All-Conference…also competed in basketball and track…plans to attend UNC Charlotte where he will major in construction engineering…favorite college athlete is Cam Newton…favorite pro athlete is Michael Jordan…says “I feel honored to be chosen to play in this game. I’m just expecting to have a great time playing the game I love.”

*****Player Bios courtesy of East-West All-Stars Football and David Willoughby.*****