By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

MOBILE, Ala. — A trio of senior standout players from the “Southern Six” as well as a veteran head coach all will head across the state line to neighboring Alabama Tuesday in anticipation of a big football game later this week.

The quartet will all be involved in pre-game preparations for the prestigious Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Football Classic, which is slated for Saturday, Dec., 14th at Hancock/Whitney Stadium in Mobile on the campus of the University of South Alabama.

George County standout signal-caller Deuce Knight, St. Stanislaus suburb placekicker Evan Noel and Gulfport stalwart offensive lineman Jamarius “J.J.” McCann were all selected to represent their home state in the 38th annual affair.

In that game, Pascagoula veteran head coach Lewis Sims will serve as the defensive coordinator for the Mississippi team.

“To be chosen to coach in this game is one of the highest honors you can achieve as a coach in Mississippi,” Sims, who just wrapped up his 14th season at the helm of the Panthers, said. “Coaching alongside living legends and being able to coach the best players in the state is humbling. I am sure thankful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get started building the 2024 Mississippi team with some of the best men in the game of football.”

It is quite likely that Pascagoula missed out on having a standout senior defensive player in this game for the second straight season because of an injury.

In a win over D’Iberville early in the season, Sims and the Panthers suffered a season-ending loss to linebacker and Louisiana Tech signnee Jaylon Parnell who was lost for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Last season, the Panthers lost senior all-state defensive end Jeffrey Rush for the year with a similar injury just prior to a season-opening win over Moss Point.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that that would have been the case,” Sims added.

But the “Southern Six” still has that top trio heading to this Port City to end their prep football careers later this week.

Last year, Mississippi proved to be quite a hospitable host against Alabama in the 37th annual Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Football Classic.

The visiting squad took advantage of six Mississippi turnovers plus a botched punt attempt, as Alabama took a 26-17 win at M.M. Roberts Stadium on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in the annual affair. It marked the fourth straight win for Alabama, and Alabama leads the overall series 26-11.

“What an exciting week!’ Sims said, upon his arrival in Mobile Monday night. “The best players in Mississippi and Alabama descending on Mobile to showcase their talent. It is an honor to coach these guys and work with some of the best coaches in the state. Five coaches on the Mississippi staff just coached in the state championships over the weekend. We have a really good group that is excited to take on the challenge that lies ahead of us on Saturday and that is to Beat Bama!”