Charleston High School has been honored through the selection of two players and one coach for state all-star football game rosters.
The Mississippi Association of Coaches and the Mississippi High School Activities Association made the announcement during a joint all-star football press conference Oct. 4 in Clinton.
» CHS senior defensive back Deondre “Dre” Riley (6-0, 168) is one of 40 high school seniors from around the state chosen to represent Mississippi in the 2023 Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Football Game.
The contest, to be played Dec. 16 at M.M. Roberts Stadium, on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, will feature top football players from all MHSAA classifications and from Alabama High School Activities Association schools.
Former longtime CHS football coach Tony Vance, now head coach at Hattiesburg High School, is president of the MAC and the scout coach for the Mississippi All-Star team.
» CHS senior defensive lineman Montra Sanford, 6-2, 210 pounds, is one of 45 high school seniors chosen to represent the North Mississippi team in the 2023 Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star Football Game.
In this matchup, at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at Milner Stadium, on the campus of Gulfport High School in Gulfport, all-stars from North Mississippi schools will compete against all-stars from South Mississippi football programs.
» Charleston head coach LaDon Taylor was selected to be an assistant coach for the Bernard Blackwell Classic’s North Mississippi team. He is one of eight coaches chosen for the squad.
Taylor said he is “extremely proud” for Riley and Sanford “to be recognized and to be able to play in an all-star game. It’s a big honor to be chosen.”
As for his own selection, Taylor noted, “It was good to be picked by my peers to have my first chance to coach in an all-star game.”
CHS last had a head coach and two players chosen for football all-star games in 2015, when then head coach Scott Martin was a Blackwell Classic assistant, offensive lineman Walter Barnes played in the Blackwell, and defensive back Travion Williams was part of the Mississippi/Alabama game.
