The Selma Times-Journal

With an atmosphere of tailgating, music and crashing shoulder pads, Selma Saint fans will have the opportunity to get an early look at their hometown team on Saturday.

The Saints will join St. Jude, Booker T. Washington, Greensboro and John Essex in the spring jamboree.

The football game will begin at 3 p.m., but tailgating for the battles will start at 12 p.m.

“We are trying to boost this thing up and have a little fun,” said Brian Montgomery, coach of the Selma High Saints.

Once the teams take the field, the jamboree will feature each team playing in two match-ups. The “games” will essentially be a 15-minute quarter with a constant clock.

The clock will run until it gets down to the two-minute mark. Then it will run like in a regular season game.

Selma High will play Greensboro and BTW.

“We’re just trying to get a true assessment of how our guys are going to be able to handle the crowds and different competitive teams that they haven’t seen,” said Montgomery. “I think that we are going to look great. We’ve got some young kids out there doing a great job.”

Selma, while losing starters, will return to top athletes – Mike Miller and Dre Benjamin.

Montgomery and the Saints will also use Saturday’s Jamboree to answer questions – like who’s going to start the season as quarterback.

“We’re young,” said Montgomery. “We don’t have a quarterback who’s taken a varsity snap yet. We’re probably going to give Miller a few plays and then give Justin Brown a few.”

High school bands will also have the opportunity to get their moment in the sun. SHS’ marching band and other bands will be in the stands to give the game a Friday-night atmosphere.

There will also be a Battle of the Bands on Saturday.

The event will be held at Memorial Stadium with tailgating starting at 12 p.m.