More Thursday North-South notes

It's funny how being on the winning side vs. the losing side affects what your coaches tell you.

Saturday's SCADA North-South All-Star Football game is almost here. And with six practices already completed (and four more to go) players on each side aren't exactly getting the same motivational speeches.

Part of it, though, has to do with the North squad's relative domination in the series the past 12 years. During that time frame, the North has won nine games.

"They've reminded us about that every day," said Conway defensive back Emmit Kelly, who will be representing the South on Saturday. "The South's gotta get a win this year."

However, over on the North side of things, coaches have barely mentioned it. Several players from that squad said it was the first they were hearing about the North's recent success in the series, including last year's 21-17 victory.

North defensive back Daquan Brown -- after being informed of his side's run -- said he was more than ready to keep it going.

"We're representing our side of Carolina," Brown said. "I hope we keep it up."

***

Speaking of Brown, he's out to prove that he's much more than his height would suggest.

At just 5-foot-5 and 160 pounds, the Spartanburg DB is the smallest player on this week's roster. (Brown is one inch shorter than North teammate and Berea running back Edward Williams, who is 5-foot-6.) Still, South quarterbacks may want to make sure they know exactly where he is during what is expected to be a pass-first game.

"I don’t really think about the height because I just like to be competitive with the people I play against," Brown said this week. "I don’t even look at the height. I play aggressive against the person opposite of me, just try to keep them away from the ball."

Brown has already proved that he can step up in big situations.

Earlier this year, Spartanburg played Class AAA state runner-up on ESPN2. And while the Vikings eventually lost 14-13, Brown made one of the most electric plays of the season when he returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown.

Part of it, though, has to do with the North squad's relative domination in the series the past 12 years. During that time frame, the North has won nine games.

"They've reminded us about that every day," said Conway defensive back Emmit Kelly, who will be representing the South on Saturday. "The South's gotta get a win this year."

However, over on the North side of things, coaches have barely mentioned it. Several players from that squad said it was the first they were hearing about the North's recent success in the series, including last year's 21-17 victory.

North defensive back Daquan Brown -- after being informed of his side's run -- said he was more than ready to keep it going.

"We're representing our side of Carolina," Brown said. "I hope we keep it up."

***

Speaking of Brown, he's out to prove that he's much more than his height would suggest.

At just 5-foot-5 and 160 pounds, the Spartanburg DB is the smallest player on this week's roster. (Brown is one inch shorter than North teammate and Berea running back Edward Williams, who is 5-foot-6.) Still, South quarterbacks may want to make sure they know exactly where he is during what is expected to be a pass-first game.

"I don’t really think about the height because I just like to be competitive with the people I play against," Brown said this week. "I don’t even look at the height. I play aggressive against the person opposite of me, just try to keep them away from the ball."

Brown has already proved that he can step up in big situations.

Earlier this year, Spartanburg played Class AAA state runner-up on ESPN2. And while the Vikings eventually lost 14-13, Brown made one of the most electric plays of the season when he returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown.