Polk’s McSwain, Ruff to take part in Carolina Bowl

Polk County seniors Chase McSwain and Daniel Ruff will take part in the Carolina Bowl, set for January 5 in Durham County Memorial Stadium.

The Carolina Bowl will feature high school seniors from North and South Carolina in an invitation-only bowl-style game. Players will travel to Durham on Dec. 30, then practice Dec. 31-Jan. 3 before the game on Jan. 5.

Related games for students in grades 5-8 will be held Jan. 4 at Duke University.

McSwain entered Friday’s playoff game at Mitchell as Polk County’s leading tackler this season with 120, 14 of those for a loss. He had two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery and also caught five passes for 111 yards and a score.

McSwain had one reception in Friday’s win before suffering an injury and missing the second half.

Ruff helped anchor Polk County’s offensive line, owning 81 pancake blocks entering Friday’s game. Defensively he had 40 tackles, eight of those for a loss, and one sack.