Summerville's Bailey named SC Mr. Football finalist

The field of athletes vying for the title as South Carolina's top high school football player is down to five. On Tuesday, the South Carolina Athletics Coaches Association selected the finalists for the 2014 Mr. Football award. All five players will be recognized during a halftime ceremony at the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, followed by the introduction of this year's award recipient.

Finalists for the 2014 Mr. Football Award:

o Zack Bailey-Offensive Lineman

Summerville High School

2014 season football grade: 89%

Committed to the University of South Carolina

o Kelly Bryant-Quarterback

Wren High School

2,303 yards passing and 24 touchdowns in 2014

Committed to Clemson University

o Matthew Colburn-Running back

Dutch Fork High School (Irmo)

716 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014

Committed to the University of Louisville

o Dupree Hart-Receiver/Quarterback

Northwestern High School (Rock Hill)

1.340 yards of total offense and 13 touchdowns in 2014

Committed to the College of Charleston (baseball scholarship)

o J.J. Arcega-Whiteside-Receiver

Dorman High School

53 receptions for 921 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014

Committed to Stanford University

The SC Athletics Coaches Association established the Mr. Football award in 1995. Seven former recipients have played or are currently playing in the National Football League.

"This year's finalists have outstanding credentials," says Keith Richardson, co-director of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl and former head coach at Clinton High School. "And I also think it is a group that displays great character off the field, too. That is an important aspect of the award taken into consideration when we make these selections."

This year, fans are invited to cast an online vote for their favorite Mr. Football finalist. To participate, go to South Carolina Living Magazine's website: http://scliving.coop/mr-football

South Carolina Living is created by the state's member-owned electric cooperatives and is the largest circulation publication in the Palmetto State with more than 480,000 subscribers.

The 2014 Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, North vs. South All-Star game is played at noon December 13 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach. Players chosen to compete in this year's contest are announced Monday, October 27.

Former recipients of South Carolina's Mr. Football award

High School College

1995 Jermale Kelley, WR Berea South Carolina 1996 Kyle Young, OL Daniel Clemson

1997 Chris Hope, DB Rock Hill Florida State

1998 Derek Watson, RB Palmetto South Carolina

1999 Mark Logan, QB Greenwood Georgia Tech

2000 Roscoe Crosby, WR Union Clemson

2001 Moe Thompson, DE Stratford South Carolina

2002 Eric McCollom, QB Camden Iowa

2003 Trey Elder, QB Byrnes Appalachian State

2004 J.D. Melton, QB Myrtle Beach Navy

2005 Prince Miller, DB Byrnes Georgia ,

2006 Malcolm Long, QB Gaffney South Carolina State

2007 Richard Mounce, QB Blythewood Charleston Southern

2008 Stephon Gilmore, CB South Pointe South Carolina

2009 Marcus Lattimore, RB Byrnes South Carolina

2010 Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Pointe South Carolina

2011 Shaq Roland, WR Lexington South Carolina

2012 Tramel Terry, WR Goose Creek Georgia

2013 Jacob Park, QB Stratford Georgia