Breitenstein settles

for Shrine Bowl role
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Watauga standout running back Eric Breitenstein is used to being the Pioneers’ go-to guy. At the Shrine Bowl Saturday, Breitenstein became a role player.

Breitenstein carried the ball once for 19 yards for North Carolina, which lost to South Carolina at Wofford’s Gibbs Stadium. He played fullback while Bobby Morrison Jr., Tobias Palmer and Jay Hollingsworth received the lion’s share of the carries.

Breitenstein, who is still weighing his options when it comes to selecting a college, was happy to be part of the game, which was played in an on-and-off rainstorm on a chilly South Carolina afternoon.

“It went by way too fast,” he said. “I wish I was still playing high school. They say it’s the best thing you ever do. I’m looking forward to college, and we’ll see where it takes me.”

A remarkable prep career took Breitenstein to the Shrine Bowl, the first Pioneer to play in the event since 1980. He gained 2,625 yards rushing and scored 30 touchdowns rushing and receiving during Watauga’s 11-4 season. For the second straight year, the Pioneers reached the state 4-A semifinals of the NCHSAA playoffs.

Last year, Breitenstein was named an All-State defensive back. This year, he is nominated to be the Associated Press Player of the Year.

Saturday, instead of running out of the spread formation, Breitenstein ran from the I formation. When North Carolina ran the spread, ironically, he was taken out of the game.

He said the last time he ran out of the I was “middle school.”

“My fingers are a little sore from being on the ground, but that was it.”

The Shrine Bowl is staged to raise funds for the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital’s burn unit. The players from both states visited the hospital in Greenville, S.C., signing autographs and talking to the burn victims.

“They have more heart than any of us have,” Breitenstein said. “They have to go through so much and yet every one of them have a smile on their face. It’s awesome to see that and it was great to have a chance to raise money for these kids.”

A group of fans and teammates made the trip from the High Country to watch Breitenstein play, which he appreciated.

“It’s pretty cool to have everybody down here,” Breitenstein said. “It’s cold and windy and it was fun.”

South Carolina broke the game open with its passing attack in the second half. Jaron Brown caught a 42-yard scoring pass from Richard Mounce and A.J. Green caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Reid McCollum to give South Carolina a 24-14 lead in the third quarter.

Casey Barth hit a 34-yard field goal to pull North Carolina to 24-17, but South’s J.J. Booke broke a 31-yard touchdown run that put the Sandlappers in front 31-17. Palmer scored on a 3-yard run with 10 seconds to give North Carolina a consolation touchdown.

Taylor Gentry caught a 47-yard touchdown from Thomas Wilson to pull North Carolina to 10-7 in the second quarter. Morrison Jr. scored from 5-yards out to give the Tar Heels a 14-10 lead with 5:59 left in the third quarter, giving North Carolina its only lead.

Breitenstein said that although it was an exhibition game staged to raise money for the Shriner’s Hospitals, North Carolina’s practices were tough.

“The plays weren’t bad, but it was a tough time,” Breitenstein said. “There were two-a-day practices, and they weren’t joke two-a-days. We were going after it really hard and everybody was really tired, so (Friday) was laid back, so we got a little break and we were ready to play.”