Florida recruit Greg Reid shines in all-star game

Columbus — Lowndes’ Greg Reid will go down as one of the state’s greatest all-around players.

Anyone who doubted that was quieted after the senior’s performance Monday afternoon at the 70th annual Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North-South Football Classic at Memorial Stadium.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder provided the game’s two touchdowns by returning two punt returns for scores as the South won 17-0. Both came late in the second quarter on consecutive returns, with the first one covering 89 yards and the second going 78.

“I really don’t know how to explain it. For some reason, I’ve always loved to return punts,” said Reid, who was named the South’s team Most Valuable Player. “I do really appreciate the help I got because a lot of my guys blocked well”

On the second one, he left at least a half-dozen would-be tacklers grabbing nothing but air by weaving his way for the touchdown.

“I have no clue how many people missed me on that one,” said Reid, who was recently named the AJC’s all-classification player of the year and is committed to Florida. “I guess people will remember that one for a while.”

That proved to be all that the South needed as its defense ruled throughout. Reid played a big role in that by teaming up with safety Jemea Thomas (Georgia Tech commitment) to control the secondary.

Stephenson linebacker Nigel Mitchell-Thornton (Tennessee commitment) and Northside-Columbus tackle John Drew (Duke) led things up front. Mitchell-Thornton’s fourth-down solo tackle on Buford’s Cody Getz at the South’s 41 early in the fourth quarter proved to be the North’s last real threat.

LaGrange linebacker Qua Huzzie (Kentucky) clinched the shutout with a late interception, and Warner Robins punter-kicker David Clark was a factor throughout by pinning the North team back for much of the game.

The North’s defense also proved to be stout. Georgia-bound linebacker Chase Vasser finished with two tackles for loss, with a couple of more jarring solo tackles. Tucker linebacker Jonathan Davis (South Carolina) and Buford tackle Dallas Lee (Georgia) combined for three tackles for loss, and Lee had a fumble recovery.

South 0 0 0 0 — 0

S — Greg Reid 89 punt return (David Clark kick)

S — Reid 78 punt return (Clark kick)

S — Clark 39 field goal