The 37th annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Classic will feature two players and a coach from Baldwin County at the contest scheduled for Dec. 16 at Southern Mississippi.

Spanish Fort defensive end Cole McConathy, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound Louisville commit, and Foley receiver Perry Thompson, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound Auburn commit, were named to the roster and Lion head coach Deric Scott will serve on the coaching staff.

McConathy will serve as the Toros’ first representative at the border battle all-star game since Cooper Wilson in 2021 when Alabama shut out Mississippi 20-0. McConathy will be Spanish Fort’s 16th overall selection to the Alabama-Mississippi game where he joins the likes of Carlos Johnson, Brady Wilson and Kris Abrams-Draine who were all recognized in 2019 and are still playing college football.

Thompson marks the second Foley honoree in as many years after another receiver, Harrison Knight, helped the Alabama All-Stars earn a 14-10 win in the 2022 contest.

Thompson will be the 23rd Lion selected and joins the esteemed company in just a few of the Foley alumni who made NFL rosters. In 2007, wide receiver Julio Jones and defensive back Robert Lester helped score a decisive, 51-14 victory before offensive lineman DJ Fluker and defensive end Justin Anderson were part of a 28-3 win for the Alabama All-Stars in 2008. The former three went on to star at Alabama where Anderson played at Louisiana Lafayette.

Coaching connection

It will also be Scott’s second consecutive season serving on an all-star coaching staff after he was in charge of the defense at last year’s 42-7 win for the South All-Stars in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s North-South All-Star Game.

Other carryovers from that staff to this year’s Alabama-Mississippi staff include Opelika’s Erik Speakman and Enterprise’s Ben Blackmon, the latter of whom will serve as head coach. From across the Bay, head coach of the No. 1 Saraland Spartans Jeff Kelly will also be on the coaching staff.

College breakdown

Baldwin County’s pair of athlete representatives are two of the 26 Alabama All-Stars who have already made commitments to Division I colleges. Thompson is among 14 athletes who have made pledges to programs in the Southeastern Conference where a majority will split up on either side of the Iron Bowl rivalry.

Joining Thompson in heading to Auburn will be Jayden Lewis (6-foot, 176-pound defensive back from Anniston), Malik Blocton (6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive lineman from Pike Road), Jamario Burnett (6-foot-1, 200-pound running back from Andalusia) and Bryce Cain (5-foot-10, 140-pound wide receiver from Baker).

Heading to the other sideline with the Alabama Crimson Tide will be Jaylen Mbakwe (6-foot-1, 175-pound defensive back from Clay-Chalkville), Dre Kirkpatrick Jr (6-foot, 195-pound defensive back from Gadsden City), Quinton Reese (6-foot, 215-pound defensive end from Ramsay), Jeremiah Beaman (6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive lineman from Parker), Isaia Faga (6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive lineman from Central Phenix City) and William Sanders (6-foot-4, 295-pound offensive lineman from Brookwood).

Other in-state commits include Jywon Boyd (5-foot-11, 185-pound wide receiver from Charles Henderson) to Troy and Carson Wheeler (6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman from Brooks) to North Alabama.

The South Alabama Jaguars have received three pledges from this year’s Alabama All-Star roster: Kevin Norwood (6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive lineman from Theodore), Asher Hale (6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive lineman from St. Paul’s) and Jared Hollins (6-foot-4, 190-pound quarterback from Mary G. Montgomery).

Selection process

The Yellowhammer State’s representatives were chosen by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors, and Coaches Association (AHSADCA) All-Star Selection Committee, who fielded nominations from member school coaches and met last week to construct the roster.

“As always, we thank the committee for their time and dedication in picking this outstanding group of student-athletes,” said AHSADCA Director Brandon Dean. “We look forward to watching these student-athletes compete against Mississippi in December. Along with Coach Blackmon and his staff, we know they all will put on a great representation for our state and their respective schools and communities. We thank our members schools and or coaches for their continued support of this annual matchup.”

All-time series

With last year’s four-point win at South Alabama, the Alabama All-Stars improved to a 25-11 advantage over Mississippi in the series that started in 1988. Alabama won the inaugural matchup 24-21 in three overtimes then won the following two matchups in extra time as well

The Alabama All-Stars have won the last three games in a row, outscoring Mississippi 53-17, and will be searching for a fourth consecutive victory. Since the contest was moved from July to December in 2007, Alabama holds an 11-5 lead which includes their longest streak in the series at seven straight wins from 2008-2014.

Full roster

First Last – School: Height, weight, position

Kamore Harris – BB Comer: 6'1, 235, ATH

Jayden Lewis – Anniston: 6'0, 176, DB; Jaylen Mbakwe – Clay-Chalkville: 6'1, 175, DB; Dre Kirkpatrick Jr – Gadsden City: 6'0, 195, DB; Travaris Banks – Tuscaloosa Hillcrest: 6'2, 195, DB; Xavier Johnson – Muscle Shoals: 5'10, 175, DB; Kaleb Harris – Thompson: 6'0, 195, DB

Jamari Payne – Loachapoka: 6'3, 250, DE/LB; Quinton Reese – Ramsay: 6'0, 215, DE/LB; Jamison Curtis – Saraland: 6'1, 210, DE/LB; Cole McConathy – Spanish Fort: 6'5, 235, DE/LB; Cameron Pruitt – Theodore: 6'3, 195, DE/LB; Tyler Hicks – Thompson: 6'0, 210, DE/LB; Bradley Shaw – Hoover: 6'1, 225, DE/LB

Jeremiah Beaman – A.H. Parker: 6'4, 265, DL; Isaia Faga – Central, Phenix City: 6'2, 285, DL; Fred Vili – Enterprise: 6'1, 250, DL; Jaylen Brown – James Clemens: 6'6, 240, DL; Malik Blocton – Pike Road: 6'4, 275, DL; Kevin Norwood – Theodore: 6'2, 305, DL

Donovan Price – Hewitt-Trussville: 6'3, 225, HB

Towns McGough – Auburn: 6'0, 192, K/P

Carson Wheeler – Brooks: 6'3, 285, OL; William Sanders – Brookwood: 6'4, 295, OL; JacQwan McRoy – Clay-Chalkville: 6'8, 370, OL; Reese Baker – Madison Academy: 6'5, 285, OL; Daylin Martin – Saraland: 6'1, 290, OL; Asher Hale – St. Paul's Episcopal: 6'6, 305, OL; Clark Barker – Wetumpka: 6'3, 285, OL

Jared Hollins – Mary G. Montgomery: 6'4, 190, QB; Roman Gagliano – Opelika: 6'3, 210, QB

Jamarion Burnett – Andalusia: 6'1, 200, RB; Arrington Green – Thompson: 5'11, 201, RB; Kevin Riley – Tuscaloosa County: 6'1, 200, RB

Watts Alexander – Mountain Brook: 6' 4, 265, TE

Bryce Cain – Baker: 5'10, 140, WR; Cameron Coleman – Central, Phenix City: 6'3, 190, WR; Jywon Boyd – Charles Henderson: 5'11, 185, WR; Mario Craver – Clay-Chalkville: 5'10, 160, WR; Perry Thompson – Foley: 6'3, 215, WR