GREENSBORO — Football is just around the corner, and the first taste of pads popping in a regulation game took place at Jamieson Stadium at Grimsley High School in Greensboro on Wednesday. Washington’s graduated senior Uriah Lawrence made the trip to represent Beaufort County, while the East team defeated the West by a final score of 20-8.

Lawrence had a catch for five yards in what was a defensively dominated football game. The West team’s only score came from Shelby High School’s Kenneth Washington who took a 69-yard fumble recovery and returned it for a touchdown.

The East took over the game thanks to Tarboro’s Keon Caudle, who ran for more than 100 yards on the day, which included a 7-yard touchdown run with multiple defenders grasping his jersey in the fourth quarter with less than two minutes remaining. Caudle took home Most Valuable Player honors for his performance.

Lawrence was amongst some impressive company, and he said he was happy to have the opportunity.

“Man, it was a great experience. I met so many great players and amazing personalities and made some brothers for life,” Lawrence said in a social media direct message. “It’s a family bond that can’t be broken. We still text the group chat and talk to each other like we are still on the trip. It’s just an amazing honor and I’m blessed to be allowed to play in it and represent my hometown.”

Lawrence plans to attend North Carolina A&T next fall and will try to walk-on to the football team.

Washington offensive coordinator Perry Owens raved about how big of an accomplishment this was for Lawrence.

“It’s a huge accomplishment considering he only played one full season at wide receiver,” Owens said. “If you look at the history of Washington football and other names that have played in that game, it puts him in pretty elite company. Uriah and I spoke all week via DM and I went to his practice on Tuesday. They added some screen game similar to ours to get him comfortable and it really helped. Coach Sawyer said he had a great week of preparation that ultimately showed with the East winning. He had a great career at Washington and I hope he pursues his walk-on opportunity at NC A&T.”

There was a lot of talent on display at the All-Star game, a few state champions and players headed to the next level to play football in college.

“Anytime a Pam Pack player can be on an All-Star roster with the likes of Tarboro, Pamlico and Havelock, it’s a great day to be the Pam Pack.” Owens added.