For the 2nd straight year, the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas will not take place.

The game featuring the top senior football players in both North and South Carolina was again put on hold by organizers.

The announcement was made following a special meeting of the Board of Governors in Myrtle Beach.

In a press release, game chairman Ronnie Blount said the decision to postpone again occurred after obtaining “every piece of information” from both state governing bodies ranging from player selection, housing, transportation and food services for all parties involved.

“With the Pandemic continuing to evolve, the current circumstances, and the monumental efforts required in safely preparing for Shrine Bowl Week in Spartanburg, and playing the game, are those that the Board feels we cannot achieve in the best interest of everyone at this time,” he said. “In short, if we are not able to produce a great quality game as we have done for 83 years and provide the best game environment possible for our sponsors, players, coaches, staff, medical personnel and patrons, then we should not play the game this year.”

The Shrine Bowl hopes to hold next year’s Shrine Bowl on Dec. 17, 2022 in Spartanburg.

Like last year, the Shrine Bowl will announce the 44 players selected for each team. The coaches for 2021 were already announced for each team with former Batesburg-Leesville and retiring Newberry head coach Phil Strickland picked to lead South Carolina.

The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl is still scheduled to take place Dec. 11 at Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach. Those selected to the Shrine Bowl are eligible for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, although the criteria of selecting 2 players per school will remain in place.

“We are not going to pull the cord unless we have to. We are going to figure out and play this game and follow as many of the protocols and stay as safe as we can,” Westside head coach and Bowl director Scott Earley said. “Some physicians have gave me the analogy that the Delta variant is like a hurricane and we are in week eight of a 12-week hurricane. They urged me not to cancel this game. They believe it will hit its peak and die down when the weather changes. We are optimistic about playing.

“If we could play region games, if we can play playoff games and then a state championship, we could play the Touchstone Energy Bowl. That is the approach we are taking.”

What do you think of the decision not to play the 2021 Shrine Bowl? Write ChronicleSports@yahoo.com .