JOHNSTON – For the first time since 2005 the Strom Thurmond Rebels will be represented at the North Carolina versus South Carolina Shrine Bowl as Octavius Brown (6’0” 267lbs), the starting nose guard on Thurmond’s “Blue Steel” Defense, has been named to the 74th Shrine Bowl game.

Brown is the 14th player from Strom Thurmond to earn this prestigious honor.   

He was one of the stronger players at the Shrine Bowl Combine; bench pressing 185 pounds a total of 24 consecutive times. Octavious’ strength, speed (5.0 second in the 40 yard dash) and size make him a dominating force on the defensive front. 

Opposing coaches have double and triple teamed him throughout his entire career, yet he has managed many sacks, tackles, uncountable hurries, a blocked punt and as much defensive pressure as anyone in the state.

Thurmond head coach Lee Sawyer (a Shrine Bowl coach this year) says Octavious earned this honor on his own merit.  

“I’m more concerned with getting the best players on the team instead of picking favorites, so I turned his game film over to the other coaches and allowed them to make the decision,” he said.

“After speaking with a few coaches, the consensus was the same; this young man is a very good football player and deserves to make the team. When it was announced to his teammates this week, he was given a standing ovation.”   

Other Strom Thurmond Rebels to make Shrine Bowl:  Robert Wright 1962, Jackie Jackson 1963, Monk Coleman 1964, Bettis "Grig" Herlong 1965, Ira Hillary 1980, Arthur Jenkins 1981, Wallace Mealing 1984, Stanley Blocker 1985, Gregory Culbreath 1989, Jason Cox 1996, Ryght Jordan 1996, Matt Holmes 2005, Otis Key 2005.

The 2010 Shrine Bowl will be held at Gibbs Stadium (Wofford College) in Spartanburg, on December 18th.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For more info on the Shrine Bowl, including complete list of players, visit: www.shrine-bowl.com

Photo Courtesy/The Augusta Chronicle’s Dream 16 Gallery