The top 60 high school football players from the Pee Dee, Grand Strand and over the border were at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center for the 13th annual WPDE Chevy End Zone banquet. Socastee quarterback Hunter Renfrow captured the 2013 Zoneman Trophy, an award annually presented by WPDE Sports to the most outstanding player in the area.
Players from every part of the WPDE viewing area came to the beach dressed in their best clothes with coaches and parents in tow to celebrate the 2012 high school football season. Beyond the highlights and plaques handed out, fashion was on high display. Dillon offensive lineman DJ Park, who will play for the South Carolina Gamecocks next season, wore a white suit with pink accents. Latta offensive lineman Donell Stanley, one of the top recruits in the class of 2014, joked that he's more of a jeans and cowboy boots guy than dressing up in a shirt and tie.
Since the year 2000, over 200 WPDE All-Zoners have gone on to play some form of college football. Three captains from this year's South Carolina/Clemson game were WPDE All-Zoners (TJ Johnson, Tig Willard and Malliciah Goodman). Two time Zoneman winner Everett Golson of Myrtle Beach High is Notre Dame's starting quarterback and will play in the BCS National Championship Game. Thirteen WPDE All-Zoners have played in an NFL regular season game. Marlboro County football coach Dean Boyd has coached three Zoneman winners and has produced two NFL All-Zoners. He says making the All-Zone team is joining an elite fraternity.
The 13th annual WPDE All-Zone banquet airs Sunday at 1pm on NewsChannel 15.
