Already one of North Carolina’s best, a recent Kings Mountain graduate hopes to stand out from a host of gridiron standouts nationwide.
Javari Rice-Wilson recently was recognized as North Carolina’s top defensive football player during the 2020-21 school term by USA Today.
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Quite the force on a dominant Kings Mountain defense that allowed 10.7 points per game, Rice-Wilson finished with 45 tackles this past spring. Thirty-one of those came in the opponents’ backfield, with him being credited with a school record 23 sacks. He also had 17 hurries.
For his work, Rice-Wilson was voted Big South 3A Defensive Player of the Year, along with being recognized as All-Area Player of the Year by The Gaston Gazette and Shelby Star.
Preparing to enter his freshman year at Fordham University, Rice-Wilson is now in the running to be named the nation’s top defensive player during the inaugural USA Today High School Sports Awards. The largest high school sports recognition program in the country, it will take place on Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.
You can reach Joe Hughes at 704-914-8138, email jhughes@gastongazette.com and follow on Twitter @JoeLHughesII.
