FRANKLIN—Terry Warren II has next.

In July, Warren, 18, will become the 12th athlete to represent Franklin High School and the Franklin community in the Virginia High School Coaches Association East/West All-Star Game, said Franklin Broncos Head Coach Darren Parker. Warren said he’s ready to showcase for Franklin.

“Our team went through a lot of adversity, and that’s one thing our coaching staff taught us — to overcome adversity,” Warren said about the pressure. “So even when the weight is on my shoulders, I can’t just let everyone down. I can’t just fail. So I will carry the team.”

Parker couldn’t say enough good things about the all-conference, all-district, all-region and all-state linebacker.

“I couldn’t think of a better kid to send to play in this game,” he said. “He wins at everything he does. He is a winner on the field; he’s a winner in the classroom, graduating with a 3.5 GPA; he’s a winner at home; and he’s a winner in the community.

“We are very excited about sending him off to play in this game, it’s a great accomplishment. I can’t think of a better going-away gift that Terry could give back to the school than playing in this game.”

Warren said he was excited to play in the game, which will be in Williams Stadium at Liberty University in Lynchburg on Friday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m.

“I’ve been working hard in the classroom, making sure I kept my grades up,” he said about making the team. “That was first. Then just being on the field, being a captain and leader of the defense. I just feel like it’s the perfect chance to show my talents against the best of the best in the east and west of Virginia.”

Playing in an all-star game is going to be different, but Warren said he thinks it’ll help him in getting ready for going off to college. He will attend St. Augustine College, a Div. II school in Raleigh, in the fall on a full football scholarship to play linebacker or fullback.

“I know that it is going to be a challenge,” he said of playing in the game and participating in the camps. “It will not just be like playing against teams in a season. I will be playing against players that I have never seen before — players bigger than me and players smaller than me. But at the same time, I’ve got to do me.”

Parker said Warren was going to be a great fit on the college level, particularly because of his success and commitment to the classroom.

“He will transition into college and do very well,” he said. “He’s the total package of the student-athlete. We always talk about molding the students to be successful on the next level.”

Parker said the three keys to shaping a student-athlete are emphasizing the importance of home, the classroom and only then on the football field.

“He is a great example of all three — his parents have given him a great home life, he’s been great in the classroom, and you can see where that’s gotten him on the football field,” he said. “He’s a great kid.”

The camp is going to be fun, Warren said. He’s looking most forward to networking with other top student-athletes in the state.

“I might see a couple of guys that I might play against on the next level,” he said. “So I’m trying to build friendships, relationships and expand my horizons.”

Parker said one player he hopes Warren connects with is Chris Lawrence, who will represent Southampton High School in the game.

“We are excited about Chris going to play in the game and, hopefully, Chris and Terry can get together and have a great time playing in the all-star game and represent the Southampton and Franklin area,” he said. “I’d like to congratulate Chris on playing in the game this year. Once you get to this level as a coach, you’re just excited about all of the kids leaving to do something positive.”

Parker said he expects Warren to make Western Tidewater proud not only in this game, but also on the next level at college and into the future.

“This is a great opportunity for Franklin to see something positive coming out of our schools,” Parker said. “This is nothing but positive. He is a stellar athlete, a stellar student and most of all he is a stellar person.”

Warren said he was grateful for the opportunity.

“I just want to thank the school, my coaching staff, my team, my family, my church and the community for all of the support,” he said, “and, of course, God.”

The most exciting thing about the experience for Warren is representing the community.

“I think just being able to show that there is something good coming out of Franklin,” he said about the best aspect of playing the game.

“Even though we are a small city, we’ve got big hearts and big talent coming out of here. I’m just excited about putting Franklin on the map for something good.”