Come late Saturday afternoon, Lawrence County head footballcoach Mike Davis and defensive back Matthew Wells hope to be ridinghome from Mobile, Ala., with a contented smile on their faces. Theyare members of the Mississippi squad that will battle the Alabamadream team in the 23rd All-Star Classic.

Saturday’s Classic kicks off at 12:30 in Ladd-Peebles MemorialStadium. It will be televised.

Two more local connections on the Mississippi roster findLincoln County native Anthony Hart directing the team andBrookhaven manager Trey McGee assisting the squad. Hart, a LoydStar graduate, coached Lafayette County to a runner-up finish inthe Class 4A state playoffs.

Wells, a slender 6-foot-3, 200-pound speedster, is beingrecruited by Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Southern Miss. He hasofficial campus visits set for January, 16-17 at State, and 22-23at Ole Miss.

“I’m looking forward to the game,” said Wells. “There’s a lot ofplayers I already know. I’ll find out how they feel about going tocollege.”

Wells helped the Cougars win another Division 6-4A championshipdespite missing several games because of a groin injury. He rushedfor 1,055 yards as senior teammate Josh Cameron and others helpedtake up the slack in his absence.

On defense, Wells was credited with 36 tackles and 4interceptions.

A member of the LCHS basketball team, Wells said he was in goodphysical condition and ready for the game. “It’s an honor to playin the all-star game.”

Davis, 44, is in his seventh year at the helm of LCHS footballfortunes. He has been coaching at the school for 15 years. His team(9-5) reached the third round of the state playoffs before losingto Greene County in the South semifinals.

Davis will coach receivers in the game. Offensively, he will beworking with coordinator Shannon White of North Forrest and AlJones (line) of George County.

“We met several Saturdays during the season,” said Davis. Thatwill help the staff prepare the team for Alabama, which posted a28-3 win last year.

Davis said Senior Bowl administrators were in charge of thisyear’s game.

McGee said he was looking forward to an exciting week of work.He has been a BHS manager for three years.

“You get to see a lot of on-field action,” explained McGee. “Youhave to keep the footballs dry and make sure all the players haveplenty of water.”

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey said McGee has been avaluable member of his program. “Trey is a hard worker and he’sextremely dependable. He’s very conscientious. When you have amanager like him, he knows how practice goes.”

McGee, 17, said he was aiming for a career in sports medicine.He hopes to land a manager’s job with the Southern Miss footballteam.