By Erik Harris
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Five players from the Trussville Tribune coverage area have made their way over to Mississippi for the 29th playing of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Classic.
Clay-Chalkville head coach Jerry Hood will join three of his former players in an effort to make it eight straight victories over Mississippi. Hood will serve as Team Alabama’s defensive coordinator and linebacker’s coach.
The following Cougars will join him on the all-star roster: Quarterback Ty Pigrome, receiver T.J. Simmons and offensive lineman Cole Garrison. From Hewitt-Trussville, running back Jarrion Street and linebacker Bailey McElwain will represent their state.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Dec. 12 at M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss. Gates will be open to the stadium at 9:30 a.m. The game will be broadcast live on Birmingham’s WBRC.
Alabama holds a 21-7 lead in the series after taking a 36-30 win in last year’s game, which was played in Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl. Former Clay-Chalkville star running back, Terelle West, along with former Pinson Valley ball carrier, Nick Gibson, was selected to play in that contest. However, injuries prevented both from playing.
Representing Hewitt-Trussville, Street – an Ole Miss verbal pledge – brings 229 carries for 1,400 yards and 16 scores with him to the annual clash. McElwain, who is bound for Stanford, pulled in 66 total tackles (13 for loss) as a senior for the Huskies.
Pigrome, who finished his career 29-1 as Clay-Chalkville’s starting quarterback, completed 178 of his 274 passes as a senior for 3,080 yards, 44 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He posted another 1,349 rushing yards to go with 18 scores.
His most efficient target was Simmons – an Alabama verbal commit – who averaged 26 yards per reception in 2015. Simmons, a part-time safety, finished the season with 1,228 yards and 20 scores.
Garrison, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive tackle, holds scholarship offers from Alabama A&M, Georgia State and Tennessee Tech along with others. He helped pave the way to 3,936 Cougar rushing yards and a 14-1 record this season.
Team Alabama’s head coach is Mark Freeman from Thompson.
Erik Harris is the Sports Editor for the Trussville Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @jeharris2 or email him at jmseharris2@gmail.com.