MONTGOMERY – North-South all-star squads for the upcoming 58^th AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Game have been selected. The two teams comprised of 2018 graduating seniors were announced by Alvin Briggs, Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) Tuesday.
      The North-South Game will be played Thursday, July 19 at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. The annual game will be live-streamed by the NFHS Network and broadcast by the AHSAA Radio Network.
        The South holds a 30-26-2 edge in the North-South. The North won 14-13 last July, its third straight victory in the series which was first played in 1948. The North won that first game played in Tuscaloosa 33-0.
      Head coach for the South is Montgomery Catholic High School Coach Aubrey Blackwell. The North head coach is Locust Fork’s Chris Musso.
     Blackwell has led the Knights to a 22-11 record over his three seasons as head coach. Last year’s team finished 10-2, won the school’s first region title and first playoff game since 1989.  Musso, beginning his sixth season as head coach at Locust Fork, has compiled a 53-52 career record in 10 seasons – the first five at John Carroll (23-29) and the last five at Locust Fork (30-23). The Hornets have made the state playoffs three of the last four years.
     Musso’s North coaching staff includes Tom Causey, Pelham; Drew Gilmer, Clay-Chalkville; Ryan Lolley, Gordo; Mark Sanderson, Donoho; Matt Griffith, Sylacauga; and James Thompson, Pickens County. Blackwell’s South staff consists of Jon Cooper, Kinston; Josh McClendon, Greenville; Kenny King, Daphne; Erik Speakman, Opelika; Kevin Smith, Benjamin Russell; and Andro Williams, W.S. Neal.
      Eight players who helped their teams play in state championship games last December have been selected to play in the 2018 game. Named to the South squad are quarterback Swift Lyle of Class 5A state champion St. Paul’s Episcopal and linebacker Shamar Lewis of Class 1A state champion Sweet Water. Defensive back Eric Cameron-Garror and running back Bryan Hill of Class 7A runner-up McGill-Toolen Catholic and offensive lineman Tavien White of Class 6A runner-up Wetumpka are also on the South squad.
      Goshen, which reached the Class 2A semifinals and finished with 12 wins for the first time in school history, is the only team to place three seniors on the South squad. Selected are quarterback Brock Snyder; wide receiver Zack Alford; and defensive lineman Devin Bell.
     Headlining the North squad is defensive lineman Khamari Brown of Class 7A state champion Hoover, defensive lineman Desmond Scott and wide receiver Liallen Dailey of Class 6A state champion Pinson Valley. Leeds and Thompson have three players each selected. Green Wave seniors include kicker Greg Dawkins; offensive lineman Gage Towery; and defensive back Jaylen Washington. Chosen from the Class 7A Warriors (12-1) are defensive back Myles Brown, wide receiver Tim Harris-Edwards; and defensive lineman Mackie McNeal.
 

    The AHSADCA, which operates under the auspices of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), will also host all-star games in baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ basketball, volleyball, and boys’ and girls’ cross country during the All-Star Week.
      The rosters are attached.