Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008

McDowell, Sims named finalists

Sumter RB, Calhoun County QB among eight up for 2008 Mr. Football Award

Sumter High’s Roderick McDowell and Calhoun County’s David Sims were named as finalists Wednesday for the 2008 Mr. Football Award.

McDowell, a running back and Sims, a quarterback, are among the final eight players under consideration for the award, which will be presented Dec. 12 at Myrtle Beach.

Other finalists are South Pointe quarterback Stephon Gilmore, West Florence defensive end Malliciah Goodman, Timberland offensive lineman Quinton Washington, Northwestern wide receiver Jarrett Neely, Greenwood safety D.J. Swearinger and Myrtle Beach athlete Jamere Valentine.

McDowell, a Clemson commitment, is a big reason why Sumter has posted a 10-2 record this season. The Gamecocks play host to Gaffney in a Class 4A Division I second-round playoff game on Friday night.

McDowell is a threat in the running, passing and return games, tallying 23 touchdowns. He leads the Gamecocks with 1,414 yards rushing on 183 attempts and has 18 rushing touchdowns. He has also caught 18 passes for 262 yards with three touchdowns.

In Friday night’s 49-13 victory against Boiling Springs he recorded his second touchdown in the return game when he fielded the second-half kickoff and ran 75 yards for a score.

McDowell was named to the S.C. Shrine Bowl team last month.

Sims, a Kentucky commitment, helped Calhoun County to an 11-1 season that ended when Bamberg-Ehrhardt beat the Saints 40-34 in the Class A Division I playoffs. Sims rushed for 1,064 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 92 of 158 passes for 1,510 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Sims was selected to play in next month’s North-South All-Star game at Myrtle Beach.

Blythewood quarterback Richard Mounce, now a freshman baseball player at Clemson, won the Mr. Football Award in 2007.

Reach Wiseman at (803) 771-8472