The Greater Golden Triangle area will be well represented next month for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Classic.
Aberdeen High School’s Channing Ward, Caledonia offensive lineman Cole Carter, Columbus running back Damian Baker, Noxubee County wide receiver Terrance Barron, and West Point offensive lineman Romia Wilson and linebacker Brandon Edwards will play in the annual event that features some of the state’s top seniors Dec. 10 in Montgomery, Ala.
The Mississippi roster was selected Wednesday by a committee of coaches.
Mississippi’s team also will feature three of the state’s top quarterbacks — Petal’s Anthony Alford, Lafayette’s Jeremy Liggins, and Olive Branch’s Todd Mays and Morton defensive lineman Quay Evans.
Edwards, a 6-foot-2, 212-pounder, has played on the varsity team for the Green Wave for three years. He isn’t sure if he wants to try to play baseball or football in college, but he knows playing in a marquee event like this one will help him attract attention.
“I felt real good about it (when coach Chris Chambless told him),” Edwards said. “I felt it was a good compliment for myself for making the team with pretty good players.”
Edwards knew about the game and figured he had a chance to make the roster, but he didn’t get overconfident. He feels the improvement he has made from his junior season to this year in getting bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter helped him receive the honor.
“I think I have done all right,” said Edwards who will lead his team against Center Hill at 7 tonight. “I am not doing as good as I can.”
Wilson, who is 6-2, 264 pounds, played nose guard as a sophomore before being moved to right guard as a junior. He has been a fixture on the offensive line since then, and is focused on helping the Green Wave win their third Class 5A state title in a row.
“It was a surprise,” Wilson said of the honor. “I have never played in anything like that, and I am looking forward to playing in something like that.”
Wilson said he and the rest of the Green Wave are working hard to turn things around after the team started the season 1-3. Since then, West Point has reeled off four region wins in a row and is in first place.
Thanks to Wilson and the rest of the offensive line, West Point’s ground game has picked up again. Wilson said his goal is to play football in college.
“I have done pretty good,” Wilson said of his performance this season. “I like playing offensive line so far. I think my coachability, ability to learn, and my work ethic in the weight room are my best qualities.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.