COURTLAND—The coaches of Virginia have spoken.

Each year, championship coaches from the east and west come together to select the best seniors to represent the region in the Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star Game. This year, one of the representatives is Chris Lawrence of Southampton High School.

The event is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 11, at Williams Stadium of Liberty University.

“It was just shocking,” he said. “I felt like I played at a high level, but I didn’t know that I played at this high of a level. But it was definitely a pleasant surprise to get rewarded for your hard work.”

Lawrence, a linebacker, said a lot of work goes into preparing for and playing football, so it’s nice to get recognized for that work.

“It is just a great honor,” he said. “I don’t live for recognition, but it is always good to be recognized for the work you put in on and off the field.”

Head Coach Willie Gillus said this is the first student he has had from Southampton to play in the game.

“It is a very prestigious award to have a kid represent the school,” he said. “Not only is Chris representing our football program, but he is also representing the entire county.

“There’s not a better person to represent the school and county. I know that I can send Chris anywhere in America and have confidence that he will conduct himself in a manner in which all of the people in Southampton County will be really proud of this young man,” said Gillis. “He is a great young man, character-wise.”

Lawrence will also be a good example to the students coming behind him.

“This is an opportunity for young kids in middle and elementary school to see a kid who is doing the right thing in the classroom and doing the right thing on the field, and what those rewards are for doing it,” Gillus said. “It’s a testament to his parents, who have done a great job with him.”

Gillus said Lawrence has been great, but that his best football days are ahead of him, as he goes on to play at North Carolina Wesleyan.

“We expect big things out of Chris,” he said. “A lot of times people look at how your kids do after they leave the program. That’s a big deal for us to see how our kids represent us, not only locally but regionally and nationally.”

His father is Cyrus Lawrence, who played at Virginia Tech and at the time he graduated, he was the school’s all-time leading rusher.

“He comes from really good stock,” Gillus said. “His dad was one of the greatest football players to play here at Southampton High, and he was one of the great running backs at Virginia Tech. I know his dad is really proud of him.”

Chris Lawrence said he was happy to represent the school and county.

“It feels great,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity to represent the school. I just want to say thanks for all of the opportunities that the school has given me.”