Russell tabbed to lead Mississippi All-Stars

Sports

Related Photos

Paula Merritt

Discussion

November 5, 2008

By Rocky Higginbotham / Sports Editor The Meridian Star Wed Nov 05, 2008, 10:45 PM CST

The 2008-09 class of quarterbacks in Mississippi is widely considered one of the most talented — and deepest — in nearly two decades.

But when Meridian High School's Tyler Russell was the overwhelming choice as the Magnolia State's quarterback for the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Classic Wednesday, it didn't come as a surprise for MHS coach Larry Weems.

"They had a lot of good choices and I think they made the best one," Weems said after Russell was picked by the selection committee Wednesday, when Mississippi's roster for the 22nd annual game was chosen.

The contest is set for Dec. 13 at Ladd-Peebles Memorial Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

Russell — who is headed to Mississippi State — has emerged as the cream of the crop in a class that also includes Ole Miss commit Clayton Moore of Louisville and LSU committ Chris Garrett of Tupelo.

The 6-foot-5, 212-pounder has already helped Meridian to the Region 3-5A title and has led the Wildcats to a 9-1 record. Despite sitting out 11 quarters during blowout victories, Russell has thrown for 2,150 yards on 136-of-198 passing.

He's thrown 25 touchdowns and just five interceptions and also rushed for five TDs. As a junior, Russell threw for 2,401 yards and 26 touchdowns while missing three games due to a mild knee injury.

While Russell was high on the wish list of the Mississippi coaching staff — which is headed up by Wayne County's Marcus Boyles — he'll have plenty of company from area standouts when the team leaves for Mobile in early December.

MHS teammate Khairi Usher was also selected for the Mississippi squad, as were a total of eight players from The Meridian Star's coverage area.

"I'm obviously real proud for any of our kids to get recognized," Weems said after being told Russell and Usher got the nod. "I'm excited that they're going to get that opportunity and I feel sure they're going to represent Meridian High School and Mississippi well.

"I feel like some of our other kids could have been on the thing, but I'm sure (the committee) went with guys that they felt like gave them the best chance to win under that format."

The selection process has several quirks, including one which limits the number of players chosen from the same school. Each of Mississippi's geographical districts and each of the five classifications must also be represented.

Usher made the squad as a defensive back, while the Wayne County duo of Tracy Lampley and Willie Daniels also made the team.

Noxubee County's Patrick Patterson and Deontae Skinner were chosen, as was Newton County's Fred Smith and Philadelphia's Josh Boyd.

Usher, a 5-foot-10, 183-pounder, has recorded 49 tackles for the Wildcats and has a team-high four interceptions. He has 25 solo stops and two tackles for a loss, as well as three pass deflections and a fumble recovery.

Patterson, considered the state's top player by one recruiting service, had an MHSAA-best 72 catches for 1,415 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. This year, the 6-3, 210-pounder has 42 catches for 761 yards and 10 TDs, as well as two rushing touchdowns and a punt return for another score.

Skinner, a Mississippi State commitment, had 21 tackles in last week's win over Neshoba Central and has 108 for the year. It's the second straight year he's topped the century mark, and the 6-2, 220-pounder also has seven sacks and nine QB hurries. The Tigers, 9-0, have given up just 20 points all season long.

Lampley, a 5-foot-8, 175-pounder known better around Waynesboro by his nickname "Pound" — has rushed 77 times for 780 yards and has 24 catches for 293 yards. He's totaled 14 touchdowns for the unbeaten and top-ranked War Eagles.

Daniels, meanwhile, is a 6-foot, 190-pound defensive end/linebacker who has 76 tackles for the War Eagles. He also has three sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles for a Wayne County defense giving up just 6.6 points per contest.

Boyd, another Mississippi State commitment, is a 6-3, 270-pounder who has had most opposing offenses going away from all season. Last year, he led the Tornadoes with 154 tackles and also racked up four sacks.

Smith, meanwhile, is a 6-2, 275-pound offensive lineman who has paved the way for a Cougars' offense averaging 31.8 points per game. Newton County, 9-1, is ranked No. 4 in Class 3A by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger and No. 6 by the MPSS.

A host of area players are also expected to be chosen for the annual Bernard Blackwell (North/South) All-Star Classic. Those rosters will be selected Feb. 11.

Text Only

Sports

Clarkdale serves notice in rout of Enterprise
The Clarkdale girls’ basketball team served notice that it belonged among the top teams in MHSAA Class 2A with a 59-56 division win at defending 2A state champion Scott Central on January 31.

February 8, 2012
Northeast Lauderdale stuns, upsets Northeast Jones in opening round.
Shaquanta McDonald and Tarmecia Mack each scored 10 points as The Trojans beat the Tigers 42-28 in the opening round of the District 5-4A District Tournament held at West Lauderdale Tuesday. Brittany Williams added nine points for Northeast Lauderdale (5-21).

February 8, 2012
Season Ender
The defense was there, but the offense never came around and Meridian High saw its playoff hopes disappear as Oak Grove pulled away in the final minutes to knock off the host Wildcats 58-48 on Tuesday night in the Region 5-6A Tournament.

February 8, 2012
Kemper County wins thriller over Heidelberg
In a division with traditional powerhouses Choctaw Central, Southeast Lauderdale and Newton – the fourth-and-fifth-seeded Kemper County and Heidelberg girls both were hoping to just punch their ticket to the Class 3A state playoffs and hope to hit a hot streak.
Part one of that equation was successful for Kemper County Tuesday night, but it was far from easy.

February 8, 2012
New-look Lions set to open 2012 softball season
Coming off the most successful season of fast-pitch softball competition in the program’s history, the East Mississippi Community College Lions are set to open their 2012 softball campaign by playing host to Marion Military Institute Tuesday afternoon on the Scooba campus. First pitch for the season-opening doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.

February 7, 2012
Yellowjackets survive Hornets, keep season alive
Rarely does a team commit 46 turnovers and not get run out of the gym, but the Union girls overcame their ballhandling woes to knock off Lake 41-38 in overtime of the MHSAA Division 6-2A Tournament Monday night.

February 7, 2012 4 Photos
Roundup — MCC baseball splits pair at tourney

The Meridian Community College Eagles salvaged a split of its final games in the 2012 T.J. Fleming Invitational at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College on Sunday.

February 6, 2012
Crusaders use experience, speed to topple Tornadoes
Philadelphia and Sacred Heart both entered Friday's Class 1A/2A/3A soccer state championship game looking for their first state crown.
The Crusaders, though, had finished as runners-up the previous two seasons, and used that experience and their speed to their advantage as they scored three first half goals in route to a 3-1 win.

February 4, 2012 4 Photos
Roundup — West girls rally past Louisville
The West Lauderdale girls basketball team overcame an early deficit to top visiting Louisville 60-56 to close out the regular season Friday.

February 4, 2012
Dreams Dashed
    A real life David vs. Goliath meeting took place in the Class 1A/2A/3A girls state championship soccer game Friday afternoon at Clinton High School's Arrow Field.
   Having never advanced farther than the second round of the MSHSAA soccer playoffs, Clarkdale entered looking to shock the state and win its first state title. In th way stood Our Lady Academy, a nine-time state champion from Bay St. Louis.
   The Crescents blanked the Bulldogs 5-0 for their third straight title and 10th since 2000.

February 4, 2012 6 Photos
More Sports Headlines

Sports

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Russell tabbed to lead Mississippi All-Stars

Site Map

Contact Us