Magnolia High School Football standout Stingray Bates will play in this year’s North/South Charity Football clash on June 19 at 7 p.m. at Charleston’s Laidley Field.

Bates, the all-time yardage holder at Magnolia, will join Tyler Consolidated’s Nate Taylor on the North Bear Squad coached by Ripley High School’s Jimmy Frashier; Dave Walker, Martinsburg; and Eddie Vincent, Lewis County High School. Taylor is a Marshall University recruit.

Bates is the all-time leading ball carrier for the Eagles. He scampered for 2,281 yards and scored 23 touchdowns in his career.

On defense, he had three interceptions his senior season and returned them for 85 yards. He also ran back kicks tallying 442 yards on 19 returns and added 98 yards on 11 punt returns. From the backfield, he caught 19 passes for 198 yards.

He is a four-year letterman for the Eagles Coach Mark Batton and will join fellow MHS graduates Jared Blatt and Andy Huggins in the OVAC All-Star game set for July 25 at the Wheeling Island.

Bates will be heading off to West Liberty University in the fall and will look to play ball during his sophomore season. He is the son of Todd and Cindy Bates of New Martinsville.

Stingray thanks his sponsors, Lisa Shepherd State Farm Insurance; A-1 Rent All; and Foster Insurance from St. Clairsville.