Georgetown defensive standouts accomplish rare feat for program
By no means does Ken Cribb consider himself a historian.
However, with Georgetown defensive standouts Zaire Barron and Sheldon Billings earning all-star nods, he admits that has to be some sort of first for the program.
“It has to be,” he said. “I’ve done my share of asking around and talking to the right people, and they can’t remember us sending two to one of the games, much less sending one to both of them.
As Barron was taking the field for the South team in last Saturday’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North-South Bowl, Billings was on his way to Spartanburg to begin a week’s worth of activities at the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
“It’s just great to see two great young men get to experience this,” Cribb said. “It’s even better knowing that the product of their hard work is being rewarded in such a way.”
Billings was among the Bulldogs’ team leaders in tackles, racking up a total of 92. On the other hand, Barron racked up double-digits in sacks. Leaning on the defense, Georgetown finished 7-5 and earned a playoff victory for the second straight year.
We want to be examples to those at Georgetown that they can make it (to the North-South game or Shrine Bowl) if they put their heart and mind to it. It feels great to be one of the first to make it to the Shrine Bowl. But hopefully there will be more after.
Georgetown linebacker and Shrine Bowler Sheldon Billings
According to the Georgetown football coach, both were proven leaders on the defensive side of the ball. Yet, they went about it in much different ways.
“(Barron), well, he was more of a silent leader, the type that would rather lead by example,” Cribb said. “(Billings) on the other hand, he was a vocal guy. … Our guys responded to them, and it showed on the field.”
Still, both Barron and Billings understand their work isn’t done when the final whistle of Saturday’s game in Spartanburg is blown.
“We want to be examples to those at Georgetown that they can make it (to the North-South game or Shrine Bowl) if they put their heart and mind to it,” he said. “It feels great to be one of the first to make it to the Shrine Bowl. But hopefully there will be more after.”
Joe L. Hughes II: 843-444-1702, @thejournalist44
This story was originally published December 13, 2016 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Georgetown defensive standouts accomplish rare feat for program."