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A young shopper hugs a new Sonic the Hedgehog plush tight at the checkout, proudly sporting a Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl shirt after wrapping up the shopping spree.
Photo by Canyon Durham
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North team defensive lineman Kamari Turner (92) of Chapman High School and South team standouts Carter Coleman (88) of Ridge View High School and Nick Buggie (80) of Lucy Beckham High School trade game plans for shopping lists as they guide their carts through Target during the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl shopping spree.
Photo by Canyon Durham
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North team athlete Jayden Johnson (9) of Ware Shoals High School and South team outside linebacker Jaemin Pinckney (9) of Woodland High School share a laugh with a young shopper during a television interview in Target’s girls clothing section at the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl shopping spree.
Photo by Canyon Durham.
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North team athlete Jayden Johnson (9) of Ware Shoals High School lifts his shopping buddy to reach a toy on the top shelf.
Photo by Canyon Durham
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North team quarterback Gavin Thoma (17) of Seneca High School and South quarterback Quinn Mahoney (17) of Bishop England High School roll a cart down Target’s toy aisle while their young shopper leads the way.
Photo by Canyon Durham
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Jude beams in front of a cart piled high with presents.
Photo by Canyon Durham
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South team standout Carter Coleman (88) of Ridge View High School and North team defensive lineman Kamari Turner (92) of Chapman High School pose with their young shopper.
Photo by Canyon Durham
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South team defensive lineman Jordan Wright (76) of Newberry High School leans down to help a young shopper with her new outfit while North offensive lineman Pierre Fogle (78) of Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School looks on during the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl Target shopping spree.
Photo by Josh Crotzer
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South team defensive back Jaylin Singletary (32) of Hampton County High School gives his new friend a piggyback ride while North defensive back Kaleb Simpkins (32) of Strom Thurmond High School stands by with a bag full of Christmas gifts outside Target.
Photo by Josh Crotzer
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A popular offensive philosophy across all levels of football dictates that if a play is successful, keep running it.
Since 2013, football players selected to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl have teamed up to guide deserving children from Myrtle Beach schools on a Christmas shopping spree. On Wednesday, 88 high school all-stars took a break from practicing for Saturday’s game to help students from Myrtle Beach Elementary School and Myrtle Beach Early Childhood navigate the aisles of Target Superstore and check off their wish lists.
“I’m from here, so just being with these kids and helping them out means a lot ,” says Antonio Brown, a linebacker from Myrtle Beach High School.
It meant a lot to the children, too. Their lists included essential items such as coats and socks as well as whatever toys would fit into the $150 budget. The shopping spree is sponsored by the state’s electric cooperatives.
“I had fun today,” says Gabby, a student from Early Childhood Learning Center. “I got a wallet, a watch and some big toys.”
Gavin Thoma, a quarterback from Seneca High School, shopped with a little girl named Truth.
“Seeing kids get what they want, it’s just good to see,” says Thoma. “She got a Barbie Dream Camper. As soon as she got in there, she spent most of the money on toys.”
Each of the 44 children were teamed with a player each from the North and South squads. They’ll face off against each other at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium for the one the country’s oldest high school football all-star games.
“It was also nice to buddy up with somebody I’m going to be playing against on Saturday,” says Christian Foster a linebacker from Emerald High who was paired with the South defensive back Wynn Meetze of Gilbert High. “We’re cool right now but on Saturday it’s business.”
The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl kicks off at noon. Tickets are available online at touchstoneenergybowl.com/tickets.