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Alabama, Mississippi All-Stars Open Practice AHSAA Press Release Alabama and Mississippi All-Star squads went through two brisk, cold workouts Tuesday as coaches began installing game plans for Saturday's 27th annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game at Cramton Bowl. The game, which kicks off at noon and will be televised live throughout the Southeast over Raycom Network's various affiliates in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, is a project of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association, the coaches' organization of the AHSAA. Mississippi head coach Lance Pogue of South Panola said he was pleased with the first two workouts. "We had two good practices," he said. He praised the attitudes of his players and their work ethic. Mississippi is practicing at Huntingdon College while Alabama's all-stars worked out at Faulkner University. Both teams return to the same locations Wednesday for two more workouts and another on Thursday morning. The two teams head to Millbrook Thursday afternoon to practice at Stanhope Elmore High School and will then be treated to a Low Boil cookout at Millbrook Community Center Thursday night. "We have a few nicks and bruises," said Alabama administrative coach Billy Odom, who joined the Alabama All-Stars on a tour of the Rosa Parks Library and Museum located in downtown Montgomery Tuesday night. Mississippi's all-stars also toured the historic tribute to Mrs. Parks, known as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." Players from both teams said they were glad the experience was part of their itinerary. Alabama had three players to report late. Racean "Roc" Thomas of Oxford, who rushed for 2,215 yards this past season, and offensive lineman Jordan Sims of Homewood reported Monday night. McAdory defensive lineman Cory Thomas arrived Tuesday morning just after practice began after remaining in McCalla Monday to participate in a school basketball game. Roc Thomas is committed to Auburn, Cory Thomas to Tennessee and Sims, a 6-foot-3, 330-pound tackle, is still undecided. Quarterbacks Gunner Roach of UMS-Wright and Hayden Moore of Clay-Chalkville were both sharp with their passing games Monday. Roach has committed to Southern Miss while Moore, also an outstanding baseball player, is heading to Cincinnati. Alabama holds a 19-7 edge in the series that began in 1988 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. This year's game will be third played at Cramton Bowl. Among alumni of the Alabama-Mississippi game are two of this year's six finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Florida State's Jameis Winston, who prepped at Hueytown High School, played in the game in 2011 and Alabama's A.J. McCarron, a St. Paul's High School graduate, played in the 2008 game. Current Auburn starters Reese Dismukes (Spanish Fort) and Sammie Coates (Leroy) played for Alabama in the 2010 game along with LSU heir apparent quarterback Stephen Rivers (Athens) and LSU cornerback Jaylen Collins (Olive Branch, MS). T.J. Yeldon was in the backfield with Winston in the 2011 game, the inaugural battle at Cramton Bowl. Alabama commitments: Alabama's roster lists four Alabama commitments: DB Ronnie Clark of Calera, LB Shaun Hamilton of Carver-Montgomery, LB Keith Holcombe of Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa and offensive lineman Josh Casher of St. Paul's. Auburn commitments: Five Alabama all-stars list Auburn as their choice: RB Kamryn Pettway of Prattville, RB Roc Thomas of Oxford, DB Stephen Roberts of Opelika, LB Tre' Williams of St. Paul's, and DL Justin Thornton of Vigor.

David Parker
  AHSFHS.org
  dparker@ahsfhs.org

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