CLINTON — Columbus High School defensive lineman Tahj Sykes has one thing to say about making the list.
“It’s a blessing to make it, but I hate Alabama,” said Sykes, who has committed to play football at Southern Mississippi. “We are going to keep the trophy in Mississippi.”
This year is all about the skill positions on offense and on defense it’s the linebacker and secondary that highlight the rosters for the Mississippi/Alabama and the Bernard Blackwell Classic that were released Wednesday morning a news conference at the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) office.
“It was very hard to narrow it down to 40 players and the staff I put together did a good job of evaluating across the state,” said Wayne County High football coach Todd Mangum, who will coach the Mississippi team in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game. “The skill guys we got is just unbelievable. It’s bad we can only play with one football.”
The Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game will be at noon Saturday, Dec. 10, in Montgomery, Alabama.
Clinton and Starkville had the most players make the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star roster with three. Clinton had Cam Akers, a former commit to Alabama, Darius Maberry, and Kam White made the list.
Four-star linebacker Willie Gay, who has committed to Ole Miss, and offensive linemen JaKoby Jones and Connor Reinike will represent Starkville High.
“It’s a absolute blessing to make it,” Gay said. “I’ve been watching this game on TV the last four years and been pushing myself to make this game and dream came true.”
Columbus four-star running back Kylin Hill, a four-star recruit who has committed to Mississippi State, West Point defensive end Everett Cunningham, and New Hope’s Thomas Stevens also made the team. Stevens, a quarterback, was selected as a punter.
MSU signees Tyler Williams (defensive back, Lafayette), Aaron Odom (defensive lineman, Callaway), James Jackson (defensive lineman, Pascagoula), Paul Gainer (offensive lineman, Gautier), and Austin Williams (wide receiver, Ocean Springs) also will play in the game.
DD Bowie, a wide receiver from Morton, is the other Ole Miss signee in the game for the Mississippi team.
Several local kids will represent the North All-Stars in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at Gulfport High’s Milner Stadium.
Defensive end Nelson Jordan, defensive back Jaquez Akins, and offensive lineman Joey Claybrook, who is committed to Tulane, will represent Starkville High. New Hope offensive lineman Tae-Kion Reed, Columbus offensive lineman Laquinston Sharp and running back Kendre Conner, and East Webster linebacker Luke Wilson also were selected.
Water Valley High football coach Brad Embry will coach the North All-Stars.
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