Brookhaven Academy linebacker/fullback Kolby Byrd andguard/tackle Caleb Covington are playing one more game togetherFriday night. They are members of the South squad in theMississippi Private School Association’s All-Star Football Game atMississippi College in Clinton. Pregame festivities begin at 6p.m., followed by the kickoff at 7 in Hale-Robinson Stadium.

The all-stars practiced twice today.

“Things are going good,” said Byrd, prior to this morning’spractice. “We are having a lot of fun.”

Byrd is on punt and kickoff return teams, plus starting atmiddle linebacker.

“I think our team will be good,” said Byrd. “We have some goodplayers.”

Covington has been working on both sides of the football,too.

“I’ve been having a good time up here and meeting some newpeople,” said Covington. He has been practicing on the offensiveand defensive lines.

“I’ve been working at left guard and nose guard,” saidCovington. “We should be pretty stout on the line. We have a bunchof guys who are really good.”

Covington throws the shot put and the discus on BA’s trackteam.

Asked about his college future, Covington said he plans toattend Mississippi State. He is interested in biological scienceand a career in the medical field.

“Both young men were leaders for us,’ said BA head coach HerbertDavis Jr. “Cov was a vocal leader and Kolby showed us the way onthe field. They both have great character. They were fun to coachand they were willing to be coached.”

Byrd, a 2-sport all-star, signed a baseball scholarship withMississippi State University two weeks ago. He is a catcher inbaseball, selected The DAILY LEADER’s Defensive Player of the Year,on the 2008 All-Lincoln County Baseball Team.

In football, the 6-foot, 225-pound Byrd rushed for over 600yards as a fullback and was credited with over 100 tackles atlinebacker. Covington (6-0, 250) was a leader on the offensive anddefensive lines as the Cougars captured the District 4-AAchampionship and advanced to the state playoffs..

Presbyterian Christian School’s Johnny Mills is head coach forthe South team.

All-District Cougars

Byrd has been named 2008 Defensive Player of the Year inDistrict 4-AA.

Also named to the All-District team from BA were Covington,quarterback Chandler Rogers, center Caleb Williams, wide receiverCaleb Dorman, offensive lineman Garrett Posey, defensive ends WillGatlin and Austin Barnett, linebacker Nathaniel Sbravati and punterScottie Peavey.

Cougars receiving honorable mention were wide receiver JenningsMills, defensive back Kyle Burt, wide receiver Ty Smith andoffensive lineman Clint Stewart.

Davis praised his offensive line that steadily improved duringthe season. “In the last eight games, we only gave up five sacks.I’ve never had a team with that kind of success.”

He replaced Bo Milton who moved to McComb Parklane Academy, hishigh school alma mater; after 2 years at BA. Davis, a BA grad,coached the Cougars to the 1993 AA state championship before takinganother job.