By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GULFPORT — The South squad in this week’s 76th annual Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star Game will rely heavily on a defensive unit as it looks to take it’s fifth straight win.

And a large part of that defensive unit hails from the “Southern Six”.

As many as fifteen “Southern Six” products representing nine different high schools were selected to the South squad in the long-running contest, which is set for 11:30 Saturday morning here in this Port City at historic Milner Stadium.

Gautier quarterback Trey Irving, running back Darrell Smith of Picayune, quarterback Silas Corder of Pascagoula, athlete/return man Kevon Ford of Moss Point, running back Trey Harris of West Harrison, wide out Brenn Moody of George County, offensive lineman Deshawn Feazell of Moss Point, offensive lineman Brooks Martinez of Bay High, offensive lineman Zaylin Dedeaux of Ocean Springs, defensive lineman Tyneke Davis of George County, defensive back Kohl Bradley of George County, linebacker Josh Lane of West Harrison, linebacker Fred Nicholson of Gautier, linebacker Coleman Gazo of Biloxi and linebacker Sebastian Ford of Pascagoula have all were picked for the game.

Dedeaux is not expected to take part, however. And Ford is listed as injured on the current roster.

Players reported on Wednesday to begin preparation and practice for the game, and wrapped up practice Friday afternoon. Each squad consists of 42 players selected in October by Mississippi Association members.

Last year the South won for the fourth straight season and now leads the series 37-29-5 all-time.

The South defense consists of six senior standouts from the “Southern Six”, including Bradley who was named Class 6A First Team All-State this season. He recently signed a scholarship with South Alabama.

His teammate Davis, was named to the Class 6A Second Team All-State team.

The centerpiece of the South defense, though is Gautier linebacker Nicholson. Nicholson was selected as “Defensive Player of the Year” on the Class 5A First Team All-State squad, after helping guide his Gators to their first-ever appearance in a state championship game this year as he registered almost 180 total tackles on the season.

In addition, Lane was one of West Harrison’s leading tacklers and Ford was a disruptive force up front along the defensive wall all season for Pascagoula.

Gazzo helped guide Biloxi back to the Class 7A South State playoffs for the second straight season.

In charge of these defenders is former George County head coach James Ray, who is serving as the defensive coordinator for the South squad in the game.

The game features a North-South format and the South leads the series 37-29-5. The 2024 Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star Football Game will be livestreamed through FNUTL.com.  It will also be available through the MAC Network, Roku, AppleTV, YouTube & Firestick.  ​

The Bernard Blackwell All-Star Football Classic is formerly known as the Mississippi High School All-Star Football Game and was originated in 1950 by Mississippi State coach Arthur “Slick” Morton. The MAC assumed sponsorship of the game from the Jackson Touchdown Club in 1993. In 1994, the game was renamed for Coach Bernard Blackwell, the late Executive Director of the MAC.