PREP UPDATES: Alabama All-Star football team announced; Local area volleyball tourneys begin today

COMBINED REPORTS

The list of 40 high school seniors has been announced for the upcoming 35th annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic football game.

The 35th game is scheduled for Dec. 11 at Carlisle Faulkner Field / M.M. Roberts Stadium on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
The AHSACDA All-Star Selection Committee selected the players from nominations submitted by member school coaches at a meeting Oct. 13 held at the AHSAA Office.
The squad includes 15 players who have committed to a total of seven SEC schools, five others committed to FBS conference schools and 12 uncommitted seniors – several of them deciding from a number of major college schools.
Alabama Crimson Tide commitments include running back Emmanuel Henderson of Geneva County, linebacker Jeremiah Alexander of Thompson, linebacker Robert Woodyard of Williamson, and receiver Kobe Prentice of Calera. Auburn commitments include linebacker Justin Powell Gordon and offensive lineman Drew Bobo of Auburn High School, defensive lineman/tight end Caden Story of Lanett, place-kicker Alex McPherson of Fort Payne and wide receiver Omari Kelly of Hewitt-Trussville.
Faith Academy defensive end Shemar James has committed to Florida, Oxford defensive back Miguel Mitchell has chosen Vanderbilt, Opelika defensive back Jarell Stinson has selected Ole Miss, Montgomery Catholic defensive back Jourdan Thomas and St. Paul’s Episcopal offensive lineman Lucas Taylor are headed to Mississippi State.
The quarterbacks include Thompson senior Conner Harrell (North Carolina) and Hoover senior Bennett Meredith (uncommitted).

Alabama Head coach for this year’s game is Adrian Abrams of Minor High School.
His coaching staff includes Sam Adams, Oxford High School; Aryvia Holmes, McAdory High School; Chad Eads, Gardendale High School; Travis Lockett, Linden High School; Sam Shade, Pinson Valley High School; Darrell Higgins, Mars Hill Bible High School; Larry Strain, Handley High School; and Chris Metcalf, Minor High School (scout coach). Billy Odom, Ken Wright and Randy White are the administrative coaches.
Alabama won the last meeting, 19-7. The series began in 1988 with Alabama holding a 23-11 lead in the series. Mississippi has won all three games played in Mississippi (2015, 2017 and 2019).

Area Volleyball tournaments open

Local AHSAA volleyball teams open area tournaments today with the goal to reach the South Super Regionals next week at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.

Several teams will play host for the area tournament including St. James, Brewbaker Tech, Elmore County, Montgomery Academy, Catholic and Autaugaville.

AHSAA VOLLEYBALL PAIRINGS (Local only)

All teams will be participating in area tournaments on Thursday in the gym of the top-seeded school. The winners of the best-of-five matches will advance to a championship match on Thursday. Both teams in the championship match will advance to the South Super Regional next week at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.

CLASS 7A

Area 3 at Enterprise

Enterprise vs. Dothan, 2:30 p.m.

Jeff Davis vs. Prattville, 4 p.m.

Championship, 5:30 p.m. (Both teams advance to the Super Regional on Oct. 21 at 10:15 a.m.)

CLASS 6A
Area 3 at St. James

Park Crossing vs. G.W. Carver, noon

Robert E. Lee vs. Sidney Lanier, 2:30 p.m.

St. James vs. Park Crossing-Carver winner, 4 p.m.

Championship, 5:30 p.m. (Both teams advance to the Super Regional on Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. or 10:15 a.m.)

CLASS 5A 

Area 5 at Brewbaker Tech

Pike Road vs. Tallassee, 3 p.m.

Brew Tech vs. Beauregard, 4:30 p.m.

Championship, 6 p.m. (Both teams advance to the Super Regional on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.)

Area 6 at Elmore County

Elmore County vs. Holtville, 3:30 p.m.

Jemison vs. Marbury, 4:45 p.m.

Championship, 6 p.m. (Both teams advance to the Super Regional on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.)

CLASS 4A

Area 3 at Montgomery Academy

Alabama Christian Academy vs. LAMP, 2 p.m.

Montgomery Academy vs. ACA-LAMP winner, 3:30 p.m. (Both teams advance to the Super Regional on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. or 10:15 a.m.)

CLASS 3A 

Area 6 at Catholic

Trinity vs. Prattville Christian Academy, 4 p.m.

Catholic vs. Trinity-Prattville Christian winner, 6 p.m. (Both teams advance to the Super Regional on Oct. 20 at 12:45 p.m.)

CLASS 1A 

Area 6 at Autaugaville

Notasulga vs. Central-Hayneville, 5 p.m.

Autaugaville vs. Notasulga-Central winner, 6 p.m. (Both teams advance to the Super Regional on Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m.)

Area 7 at Maplesville

Maplesville vs. Ellwood Christian, 1 p.m.

Billingsley vs. Verbena, 2 p.m.

Championship, 3 p.m. (Both teams advance to the Super Regional on Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m. or 12:45 p.m.)