Perkins, O’Quinn set for all-star football
Published 5:00 am Wednesday, July 13, 2005
South All-Stars Jasper O’Quinn of Franklin County and DariusPerkins of Brookhaven have a point to make Friday night in the 56thAnnual Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star football game.O’Quinn and Perkins are looking to showcase their skills one lasttime on the high school level before enrolling in college nextmonth.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Madison Central High School.
“I’m ready to rock,” said O’Quinn, a Delta State Universityfootball signee. “This is my last game representing FranklinCounty, and I’m going to make the most of it.”
O’Quinn (5-11, 180), a three-sport star at the Meadville-basedschool, will be playing cornerback and wide receiver in thecontest. O’Quinn rushed for 1,257 yards and 17 touchdowns last yearfrom his quarterback spot. On defense he saw limited time atdefensive back, collecting 10 tackles and three deflections.
“It’s going to be big, going out there one last time with myBulldog helmet on,” added O’Quinn. “I’m going to do all I can dofor us to get the win.”
As for Perkins, the 6-foot-3, 252-pound defensive specialist,will be enjoying his last game as a Brookhaven Panther. Perkinsstarred at linebacker on Brookhaven’s Class 4A state championshipteam last year, collecting 88 stops and two interceptions, earningAll-Lincoln County honors.
“It’s an honor playing in a game like this and representingBrookhaven High,” said Perkins. “I hope to have a good game.”
A Northwestern State (La.) University football signee, Perkinsis expected to see time at defensive end, linebacker, and possiblytight end in the game.
“They (coaches) told me that I will be playing stand-updefensive end and some tight end and linebacker,” added Perkins. “Ican’t wait to put the pads back on Friday night.”
Also a standout in baseball, Perkins played center field for thePanthers and was named The DAILY LEADER’s Most Valuable Player onthe 2005 All-Lincoln County Team.
Perkins and O’Quinn have been out of action for nearly eightmonths. They will be joined on the South sideline by Hazlehurstwide receiver Damoyn Carroll, McComb linebacker John Thompson, andTony McCray and Neil Walker of Tylertown. Last year the South teamshocked the North 14-13. The South leads the series 25-22-4.
“It should be a good game, added Perkins. “I know both teamswill be doing all they can to get the win.”
Southern Mississippi signee and defensive back Justin (J.P.)Lewis of Lawrence County was selected to participate in the game,but has enrolled in summer school classes at USM. He has elected toskip the classic.
The South team will be coached by Kenny Robinson of Mize.Assistants include Ed Amis of Lake, Brad Breland of Union, LarryDolan of Forrest County AHS, Chuck Lee of Mize, Artis Mark ofPrentiss, and Brad Peterson of Louisville. Peterson coached atForest last season.
Coaching the North squad will be Pete Lucovich of Carthage. Hisassistants are Joey Coghlan of Carthage, Pat Davis of NorthPontotoc, Paul Dees of South Pontotoc, Mark Grubbs of Bruce, JimHughes of Clarksdale, and Scott Samsel of South Panola.