WSOC-TV 'Big 22' players to watch for 2013

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — WSOC-TV Channel 9 and High School Football Extra's Big 22 brought to you by OrthoCarolina announced the 22 high school football players who have been determined as the top pre-season standouts from area high school teams for the 2013 season.   They will be featured throughout the season on Channel 9's weekly "High School Football Extra" show along with in-depth coverage on wsoctv.com.  

Coaches from public and private high schools located in the WSOC-TV, Channel 9 DMA viewing area in NC and SC were asked to nominate three players from their team and two players from other schools to be considered for the "Big 22."  

The final 22 were selected by the WSOC-TV sports department after reviewing the coach's nominations and using a set of judging criteria.

 "Recognizing the "Big 22" players is a great way to showcase these young athletes and demonstrates Channel 9's ongoing commitment to our community", said WSOC-TV Vice President and General Manager Joe Pomilla.  

For the 2013 High School Football season the "Big 22" are: (in alphabetical order by last name)

John "Jeb" Blazevich, Charlotte Christian, Charlotte, NC
Tyler Bray, South Point High School, Belmont, NC
Trey Brice, Ashbrook High School, Gastonia, NC
Cayson Collins, Berry Academy, Charlotte, NC
Robert Dinkins, Olympic High School, Charlotte, NC
Albert Funderburke, Sun Valley High School, Monroe, NC
Will Grier, Davidson Day School, Davidson, NC
Elijah Hood, Charlotte Catholic High School, Charlotte, NC
Jalan McClendon, West Mecklenburg High School, Charlotte, NC
Chris Montgomery, Burns High School, Lawndale, NC
Kerrion Moore, Hunter Huss High School, Gastonia, NC
Ryan Moore, York Comprehensive High School, York, SC
Nate Mullen, Hickory Ridge High School, Harrisburg, NC
Zac Pollard, South Caldwell High School, Hudson, NC
Isaiah Robinson, Independence High School, Charlotte, NC
Isaiah "Zeek" Rodney, South Pointe High School, Rock Hill, SC
Mason Rudolph, Northwestern High School, Rock Hill, SC
Emiere Scaife, Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte, NC
Bentley Spain, Providence High School, Charlotte, NC
Isaac Stewart, David W. Butler High School, Matthews, NC
Shaun Wilson, West Mecklenburg High School, Charlotte, NC
Tre'Shun Wynn, Monroe High School, Monroe, NC

The "Big 22" players will also be featured on "High School Football Extra Kickoff", a LIVE primetime special airing Wednesday, August 21 at 8 p.m. on WSOC-TV Channel 9.   "High School Football Extra" will air Fridays on Channel 9 at 11:35 p.m. starting August 23.  

Follow WSOCTVSports on Twitter and like us on Facebook.  Also, follow OrthoCarolina on Twitter for updates on "Big 22."

WSOC-TV is part of Cox Media Group.

About Cox Media Group

Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps.  Additionally, CMG owns Cox Target Media, which operates Valpak, one of North America's leading direct marketing companies, and Savings.com, a leading online source for savings.  The company's operations currently include 14 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 57 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services.  CMG currently operates in more than 20 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including more than 30 million TV viewers, more than 4 million print and online newspaper readers, and 14 million radio listeners.  For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.