By Richard Carrier, Contributing Writer

2009 Powhatan High School graduate Shawn Henderson has accepted a scholarship offer to arguably the best football prep school in the nation. Henderson will attend North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina tuition-free this fall.

Henderson was a three-year starter at defensive back for the Indians, started two years at running back with legitimate 4.5 speed (he also played some wide receiver) and “the potential to put points on the board any time he touched the ball. He came to practice on Monday already prepared to win on Friday,” said his head coach Jim Woodson. He was the consummate teammate.

“He was know for giving 100 percent physically and there was not really much more we could have asked of him.”

North Carolina Tech’s Head Coach Tim Newman is “very excited about him being here and we expect him to contribute right away.” Coach Newman recognizes Henderson’s natural speed, but is more impressed with his quickness. “He is fast, but he has exceptional quickness.” Coach Newman has the credentials for judging this emerging talent. The Tigers were Prep School National Champions in 2006 and 2007 with a 116-7 record during Newman’s tenure as Head Coach.
He appraises Henderson “as very talented,” which causes some conflict as to where he should play. Henderson is more talented and prefers to play as a defensive back, but his speed makes him a tempting candidate for running back. “I’m not sure where he will play,” said Newman. “We may play him on both sides of the ball.”

Henderson’s goals at North Carolina are to improve his grades and qualify for entry into the football program at a four-year institution.
“He was short on his SAT scores,” said his brother Anthony, Assistant Director of Athletic Development at Old Dominion University.

Anthony Henderson noted the interest Liberty University, Coastal Carolina University and Old Dominion had expressed in his younger brother during his senior year. During that last year Shawn was most interested in Coastal Carolina. His decision to attend North Carolina Tech could very well expand the list of institutions he has interest in as well as those who might find his talents deserving of a long look. Dozens of colleges and universities, including several major Division 1 programs, perpetually tap the talent pool at North Carolina Tech.