Suffolk’s Zachary Hinson doesn’t seem to have stage fright, and Isle of Wight Academy’s football team will be the beneficiary in the future.

The Chargers’ sophomore tight end/linebacker was outstanding earlier this year on the national stage of the Offense-Defense All-American Showcase at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

In a bowl game featuring talented 15- and 16-year-old players from across the country, he helped his team achieve a 22-20 victory by providing 15 tackles and a key late interception as a starting linebacker, while also contributing as a starting tight end.

Hinson said to be chosen to participate in the showcase event and to actually play in it “meant a lot to me. It gave me confidence,” and it made him proud and thankful.

His selection all stemmed from his involvement in an Offense-Defense Football Camp last summer at North Carolina State University.

“My dad just wanted me to get in some football camps, and he found that one, and he really liked it,” Hinson said. “The coaching staff and all of that are really good.”

A press release promoting Hinson’s accomplishments in North Carolina and Florida stated that Offense-Defense Sports is an organization that “has been running full-contact football instructional camps for the past 45 years and currently operates in approximately 40 camp locations nationwide every spring and summer.”

Current NFL stars Cam Newton, Dez Bryant and Earl Thomas gained exposure and experience as high school players through Offense-Defense Sports.

Hinson said that after participating in the N.C. State-based camp, he was named a Most Valuable Player for his grade and age.

“I was really good with footwork, and we did some hitting drills, and they said I had good contact,” he said.

As a result of his strong camp performance, he was named an Offense-Defense All-American and invited to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. where the ninth annual Offense-Defense Bowl Week festivities unfolded.

Hinson “was selected for this honor from a group of young athletes numbering in the thousands across the country,” the press release said.

Hinson said the first couple of days in Florida were spent working on footwork and conditioning, as well as some plays. He competed in 7-on-7 competitions during the week, and near the end of the week, significant time was spent scrimmaging before the bowl game.

His father, Tim Hinson, gave firsthand details on the game, noting Zachary’s team was behind for the majority of the contest before coming back to win.

He said Zachary’s interception set up his team’s go-ahead score, and then he contributed to a defensive stand that ultimately preserved the 22-20 win.

“We’re pretty proud of Zac,” IWA football coach Dale Chapman said. After praising the sophomore’s work ethic and expressing hope that Zac will continue to grow, the coach said, “We’re just excited for the future.”