Former Clinton High School Dark Horses running back Ryheem Skinner led the East All-Stars to a 20-17 victory in the North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game in Greensboro on Wednesday night, scoring the game-winning touchdown and garnering Offensive MVP honors.
“It felt good to prove myself, that I could play to my best ability against some of the best players around the area,” said Skinner, after being ask how it felt to play with other top players from North Carolina.
The game was close as the East All-Stars managed to pull off a narrow victory, aided by Skinner’s score in what would prove to be the game-winner on a 13-yard carry. The touchdown, along with the 94 yards he racked up carrying the ball, would help earn him the game’s Offensive MVP Award.
“I received MVP, which was an honor and a blessing,” a humble Skinner noted.
The 5-foot-9, 202-pound bullish running back, is no stranger to carrying the load for his team, as he has did plenty of times during his career for the CHS Dark Horses.
Skinner put up impressive numbers for the Dark Horses during his time there, which earned him his spot in the backfield for the East. Skinner, wearing number 22 for the Horses, ended his Horses career with 553 carries, 5780 total yards, averaging a staggering 10.5 yards a carry, 137.6 yards a game, 65 rushing TDs and 69 total TDs
Skinner, who graduated in June, signed earlier this year to play football at the next level in Santa Maria, Calif., committing to the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs.
“I decided (to choose) that college because my recruitment process wasn’t as successful as it was my sophomore and junior year,” Skinner remarked. “I talked to my coach and looked up the school history and fell in love with it. I felt like I should get out of the area anyways and decided that would be a good fit for me.”
