It’s not often two rivals can dine together at the same table while the county’s top linebacker sits in the same vicinity without licking his chops.

Call off the blitz and take away the pads and helmets however and you’ll meet three of Robeson County’s brightest players, a trio of humble athletes who led their teams to varying levels of success at different positions this season.

Red Springs quarterback Blake Greene and St. Pauls running back Shawn Williams — The Robesonian’s Heisman and Offensive Player of the Year — combined for nearly 100 touchdowns over 27 combined games while Lumberton’s Mac McGill was one of the Southeastern Conference’s leading tacklers despite playing most of the season with an injured hand and ailing shoulder.

“You give me those three guys on a Robeson County all-star team and I can win a lot of games,” the county’s coach of the year George Coltharp said.

Imagine starting a program with a dual-threat signal caller like Greene complimented by a power-runner who is dominant in the red zone and a tackler on defense who knows where his teammates need to be on every play. Scary stuff. Getting to know these three both on the field and off this season has been equally rewarding as a journalist, from learning the ins-and-outs of a no-huddle offense to understanding what a linebacker looks for after his first step.

The Robesonian’s prep football awards dinner, a first of its kind, was a fitting end to an exciting season Monday night thanks to restaurant owner Arnold West and Robby Pittman of GameTime Screen Printing in Lumberton. Village Station hosted the event and fed the players while Pittman donated plaques and trophies to the award recipients.

“These are three great players and George has done a heck of a job these last two seasons,” Pittman said. “I like seeing talent and these kids recognized in Robeson County.”