Philip Simmons High senior Troy Stevenson, IV is gearing up for a much-anticipated football game at the end of the semester.
This Iron Horse cornerback/receiver has been selected to play in the 2023 Shrine Bowl. Stevenson is not only the sole Berkeley County School District football player to be selected this year, but the first player from his high school to make the cut.
The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas is hosted and promoted by The Shriners and recognizes the best of the best high school football players in the Carolinas. Every year there is a game between North Carolina’s players and South Carolina’s players; this year’s event is slated for Dec. 16 in Spartanburg.
Philip Simmons High Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Daniel Minkin said Stevenson is an “unbelievable player.”
“It’s really cool that he gets the opportunity to play against the best players from North Carolina, with the best players from South Carolina,” Minkin said.
Minkin said he is excited to have the school represented in this year’s Shrine Bowl.
“We’ve known for a while that Philip Simmons High is one of the top athletic programs in the state,” he said. “Now we get to showcase that in front of North and South Carolina.”
Minkin added that head football coach Eric Bendig has done “an amazing job” with the school’s football program.
This not only marks Philip Simmons High’s first-ever player being selected for the Shrine Bowl; it is also Bendig’s first time having a player be selected during his time as a head coach.
“It’s the premiere All-Star game of the state, and it’s just a great accomplishment for Stevenson,” Bendig said.
To qualify for the Shrine Bowl, the state nominates coaches that are appointed to the game. The coaches take nominations from regions of the state and watch footage of players in action. Coaches take into consideration individual players’ total high school athletic career, not just their senior year, as they make selections.
This season, Stevenson has clocked in 16 total tackles, six pass deflections, one fumble recovery and one interception while playing defense. He has covered a total of 202 yards on offense, with three touchdowns – two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.
Stevenson was a part of his team’s region title in 2021, and was an All-State/All-Region selection in 2021 and 2022. Stevenson is hopeful his team will head to the state title game this year.
He was voted team captain this year. This summer, he became the first Philip Simmons High football player to accept a Division I Football Scholarship offer. He participates in track and basketball at the school as well.
He is not just a standout athlete but a standout student. Stevenson has committed to playing college ball at Georgia Tech next year while studying mechanical engineering.
Bendig said Stevenson works hard and is a great role model for the team.
“He’s a guy that makes the right choices on and off the field,” he said.
Stevenson said looks forward to having a great experience at the Shrine Bowl and meeting other fellow recruits. He has the support of his team, which he described as “player-led” with a strong sense of camaraderie.
He also spoke highly of working under Bending.
“He’s a great coach,” he said. “He’s helped me throughout my whole journey of the recruitment process.”
Stevenson heads to Georgia Tech in June to start summer training. He said he will miss his high school team when it comes time to graduate.
“I’m really going to miss my teammates and the coaching staff because they’ve basically been here since I’ve been here,” he said. “I’ve had a great relationship with my teammates and the coaching staff.”
Stevenson is the son of Troy Stevenson, III and Star Robinson.