Chalmers to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl

Elijah Chalmers started his senior year of the Marlboro County High School football season with several goals.

On Monday, he found out that he had achieved the goal of being named to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, formerly the North-South Game.

The game will be on Dec. 10 in Myrtle Beach.

Chalmers said he felt honored to be nominated for the game.

“It is surreal,” he said. “I have been thinking about this since I was a kid. The fact that it is going to come true feels like a dream.”

The game has the best seniors in their positions from the upper and lower state playing against each other.

“It is all the best seniors in the state,” Chalmers said.

He thanked his mother and grandmother for their support. Chalmers also thanked every coach he has had since he started playing.

“They all helped me acquire the knowledge and skill I have today,” he said.

Football Coach Quin McCollum said Chalmers is a three-sport athlete. In addition to football, he plays basketball and runs track. During the spring, he qualified last year for state in the long jump and high jump. “He is a phenomenal guy,” McCollum said.

Chalmers is a wide receiver and a free safety.

“He is a real humble kid and a real hard worker,” added McCollum.

McCollum said as head coach in his first year, having a player selected to play in the game is outstanding.

“I think it says a lot about the progress we have made here,” he said. “It also says a lot about the people that are on the selection committee that appreciate the hard work that this young man has put in.”

This season, Chalmers has had 23 receptions, 464 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He is averaging 84.6 yards per game. He has two interceptions and a host of tackles.

Chalmers said he plans to play football and run track in college, but he hasn’t decided on a college yet.

“I still have my options open,” he said.