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Highlands Today

Local Seniors Ready To Showcase Talents

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Head out to Firemen's Field at 6 tonight to watch some of the best senior football players from around the state including Avon Park's Albert Moses, above compete at the South-Central Florida All Star Football Classic. Then be sure to check out Monday's Highlands Today for complete coverage of the game, including photos and reaction.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: December 13, 2008

SEBRING - The color blue is something Avon Park quarterback Albert Moses usually sees from his archrivals at Sebring, but the senior signal caller will don the enemy colors in his last high school football game.

Moses is among 12 local football players who will get a chance to grab a piece of the spotlight tonight in the 10th annual South-Central All-Star Football Classic at Firemen's Field.

"I don't know if blue is going to look good on me," laughed Moses. "This week of practice has been pretty crazy since we all know that this is the last time we'll be playing in a high school uniform."

Lake Placid's Jason Holden was named the head coach of a Central squad that features a mixture of talent from schools such as Lake Wales, Haines City, Hardee, along with Sebring, Avon Park and the Green Dragons of Lake Placid.

Holden was taking his duties in stride all the while feeling honored for being a part of the all-star tradition.

"I really wished they would've had an all-star game when I was in school," Holden said. "This means so much to these kids. My Lake Placid players were really excited to know that they get a chance to represent their school at this event."

Sebring head coach Jared Hamlin, who was working with the offensive line during Thursday's practice, enjoys the whole process leading up to the all-star game.

"The camaraderie among coaches is just as strong I think as among the players at this event," Hamlin said. "We sit around and swap stories and talk shop. But I really enjoy watching the kids. This is the cream of the crop in this area and for some this could be their last tackle."

The All-Star Classic selects the best senior players from the rural areas of Central and South Florida to converge on Sebring to showcase their talents one last time for friends, family and college scouts.

The recent economic downturn has taken its toll on many of the event's supporters, but there was never a question from many in the community whether the All-Star Classic would be held.

"The economy has been tough on everyone all over the country," said All-Star Classic event director Matt Gose. "But the people I normally deal with came through for us. There were no reservations among coaches that we wouldn't have an all-star game this year. The coaches and players, especially from the south team, live for football and can't wait for kick-off."

For the Blue Streaks, lineman Dewey Sebring, cornerback JC Howard, defensive back Kevin Welborn, defensive specialist Kenny Daniels and defensive back Caleb McGee will represent Sebring in the classic.

Howard was all smiles on the sideline when asked about what being an all-star meant to him.

"It means that I'm being recognized for all the hard work and sacrifice during the hot summer and season our team endured," Howard said. "It feels good to be recognized."

Center Travalier Sholtz leads the selections for Lake Placid. He'll be joined by teammates Zach Campbell at quarterback/safety and defensive end Josh Cresong, while lineman Marvin Williams and defensive back Stephan Hinson join Moses for the Red Devils.

Avon Park utility back/cornerback Virgil Cooper was selected as an All-Star but will be unable to play due to a knee injury that he sustained on the last play against Sebring, which ended his season.

Thursday's practice seemed slowed down for the most part, but even though the players on the Central squad are teammates, they are also still competitors and will take any opportunity to show up a fellow teammate, who a few weeks ago were rivals.

"You can't just turn off those competitive juices just because they say you're teammates," Holden said. "It is all fun and we have a good time, but you can see that the kids want to make a big play against one another even just to brag in the locker room after practice.

"This is what football is all about."

Kick-off for today's All-Star Classic has been moved up to a 6 p.m. start.

Tickets are $5 and parking is $3.

10TH ANNUAL SOUTH-CENTRAL ALL-STAR FOOTBALL CLASSIC

At Firemen's Field, Sebring

TONIGHT at 6 p.m.

LOCAL PLAYERS:

SEBRING Dewey Sebring, JC Howard, Kevin Welborn, Kenny Daniels, Caleb McGee

AVON PARK Stephan Hinson, Marvin Williams, Albert Moses, Virgil Cooper

LAKE PLACID Travalier Sholtz, Zach Campbell, Josh Cresong

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com

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