Mississippi high school football players have two more opportunities to showcase their skills in upcoming all-star games and several areas players will be involved. The Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic is Saturday, Dec. 15, in Montgomery, Ala. It includes defensive end JaBoree Poole of Brookhaven and wide receiver/defensive back Brandon Wells of Bogue Chitto.

     The Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic, set for Dec. 22, at Gulfport’s Milner Stadium, includes two coaches and two players from Brookhaven. Tommy Clopton is serving as South head coach and Chaz Allen is working as defensive line coach. Running back Justin Blue and defensive back Jonah Hill are representing the Panthers.

     Other area players on the South squad are wide receiver Germie Martin of Bogue Chitto, lineman Cullen Greer of Wesson, linebacker Demetrius Cain of Hazlehurst, lineman Spencer Touchstone of Franklin County and linebacker Cody Maurice Gilcrest of Jefferson County.

     Poole (6-3, 230) is a Southern Miss verbal commitment. He hasn’t changed his mind since USM head coach Ellis Johnson was fired in late November.

     “My mother went to school there,” said Poole, regarding his allegiance to the Golden Eagles. “She graduated there with a degree in Speech Pathology and has a Master’s in counseling.”

     Poole and his Mississippi teammates depart Monday for Montgomery. He was one of Brook’s leading tacklers this season. He had 8 tackles in the Panthers’ playoff loss at Picayune. He had 10 tackles and 3 sacks in the regular-season finale against South Jones.

     “We are going to play hard,” said Poole. “We want to win it for Mississippi.”

      Wells (6-2, 180),   a versatile athlete at Bogue Chitto, helped lead the Bobcats to a 13-1 record this season. He worked at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back. He has made a verbal commitment to sign with Mississippi State in February.

     Wells sustained some minor cartilage damage in his knee during the regular-season finale at Dexter but was able to see action in the playoffs. He runs a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.

      Hill (5-10, 180)  was a leading tackler for the Panthers.

     “I’m looking forward to the game,” said Hill. “We have been working out two days a week,” to maintain conditioning. He wants to play college football.

      Blue (5-9, 195)  was Brook’s leading rusher this season.  He also hopes to play college football.

     “It will be a different experience and I’m looking forward to it,” said Blue. “I will miss some school and get a break.”

     Blue is planning a career in criminal justice and plans to attend Southern Miss. “I may walk on.”

     Clopton said he was looking forward to coaching Hill and Blue one more time. The South team reports Dec. 19 for orientation and physical exams. They’ll practice once Wednesday night and twice on Thursday and Friday. Kickoff is noon, Saturday.

     “We are excited about the kids we have on the squad,” said Clopton. “It’s a reward for the players. We want to have fun and do our best to win the ballgame.”

      Greer (6-0, 270)  helped Wesson reach the Class 2A state playoffs. He was chosen Most Valuable Defensive Lineman on the All-Region 6-2A squad. He also received MVP honors on the Wesson team.

      Cain (6-0, 200)  anchored the Hazlehurst squad on defense and offense. He was the Indians’ leading rusher as they marched to a 16-0 record and the Class 3A state championship.

      Martin (6-1, 175)  also has blazing speed as a wide receiver and defensive back. He was a primary target in Bogue Chitto’s offense. He runs the 40 in 4.4

      Touchstone (6-4, 270)  anchored Franklin County’s offensive line, helping the Bulldogs achieve the Class 3A state playoffs.

      Gilcrest (6-0, 235)  starred at linebacker for the Jefferson County Tigers.