Local players take home postgame awards

By Erika D. Goodman

The Selma Times-Journal

It was the East vs. the West in the 37th annual Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) All Star Football game Friday night.

The East was able to get a score late in the game to secure a 38-28 win.

The West led early in the game by one point, 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The West continued to lead the East in the beginning of the second quarter with a touchdown to bring the score up to 15-6. Another touchdown soon followed to advance the score even further, 22-6.

There was still plenty of time for the East to catch up before the half and it did.

With 6:09 in the second quarter to go, the East scored and went for the two-point conversion, which put it in position to catch up, trailing 22-14.

The East was able to lead at the end of the half with a surprising jump to a 26-22 score.

In the third quarter, the East remained on top with another touchdown from Drew Harrell (Lowndes Academy). This made the score 32-22.

The West tried to get back on top in the fourth quarter with a touchdown. Blake Smith (Meadowview Christian) blocked the extra point try, and the score remained 32-28 with the East on top.

Lowndes Academy coach Art Sullivan said that the All-Star game is a unique experience.

“I get to come out and coach with the coaches that I have been up against, and the kids play with the teams they have played against all season,” he said.

Players representing Autauga Academy, Bessemer Academy, Lowndes Academy, and Meadowview Christian made up the East squad.

Patrician Academy, Faith Academy, Southern Academy, and South Choctaw were a few schools that made up the West team.

The coaches of the teams were chosen from the regional winners. The West coaches were Robby James from Faith Academy, Charlie Taylor from South Choctaw Academy, James Sampley from Fort Dale Academy, Jim Archibald from Patrician Academy and Gary Caldwell from Faith Academy.

The East coaches were Sullivan, Mark Freeman from Bessemer Academy, Jeremy Carter from Autauga Academy, Tripp Henderson from Glenwood School, and Gerald Carter from Autauga Academy.

The night ended with trophies given to the All-Star players. The offensive back of the night was Harrell. The defensive back of the night was Lance Gibson of Patrician Academy, offensive lineman went to Kanon Burt of Bessemer, and defensive lineman went to Blake Conway of Fort Dale.

The East’s Most Outstanding performance went to Jake Doughty of Pickens and the Most Outstanding on the West went to T.J. Walker of Faith Academy.