BOWMAN COLUMN: Wando star in Signing Day showcase
How will you spend National Signing Day?
If you're a fan, you probably will read a newspaper, be close to a computer or catch the events of Feb. 1 on television.
If you're a college coach, you'll probably spend the day in a somewhat nervous state until the final national letter of intent is faxed in to your office.
If you're a top-notch recruit, you'll probably spend your big day in the school cafeteria or library with television cameras and tape recorders pointed your way.
But if you're Wando standout defensive end Gimel President, you're going to spend the day in Austin, Texas.
He was selected to play for the 2012 U.S.19-U National Team, assembled by USA Football. The team will compete Feb. 1 -- National Signing Day -- in the third annual International Bowl, formerly Team USA vs. The World. The game will be played at The Palace at Round Rock in Austin. He will sign his scholarship to play for the Auburn Tigers before heading onto the gridiron.
The International Bowl is sanctioned by International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The IFAF is composed of 62 nations spanning six continents that possesses a national federation dedicated solely to American football.
The U.S. Under-19 National Team will face an IFAF World Team of top players ages 19 and under from outside the U.S. Both teams will field a roster of 50 players. Team USA's players and coaches are selected by USA Football.
President was named to the Parade All-American team this month. He was a two-time first-team All-Lowcountry selection.
President, who committed to Auburn prior to his senior season, was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl after recording 91 tackles, including a team-high 59 solo stops. He had 24 tackles for a loss, five sacks, recovered three fumbles and forced three fumbles. In 2010, he had 82 tackles, nine sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Pearson nears milestone
Porter-Gaud boys basketball coach John Pearson can record his 100th career victory if his Cyclones defeat Hilton Head Christian at home on Tuesday. The team's other game this week is at Hilton Head Prep on Friday.
Pearson picked up victory No. 99 when his team defeated Hanahan 49-38 to push the Cyclones' record to 10-6 on the season. Pearson, a native of Elgin, is in his sixth season as a head varsity coach.
He was also a longtime assistant to Randy Clark, and was the head coach of the girls varsity team and led the Cyclones girls to a state title in 2004.
Pearson, who played college basketball at East Tennessee State and the College of Charleston, also coaches Team TMP, one of the top AAU teams in South Carolina.
Follow Phil Bowman on Twitter at @pandcphil
