Cullman High's Hunter Brannon signs an autograph for a young fan at today's game.
MONTGOMERY – Special teams can be important in a football all-star game. Team Alabama experienced that Saturday afternoon during the 30th All-Star clash with the state of Mississippi at the Cramton Bowl. Alabama claimed a 25-14 victory.
Three scores by Alabama during the opening half were credited to special teams. It started with a bang when Henry Ruggs from Lee-Montgomery took the opening kickoff 90 yards and it was 7-0 just 15 seconds into the encounter.
A drive that started from the Alabama 36 came to a close at the Mississippi 21 as Jake Lane booted a field goal from 38 yards out to up the margin to 10-0 with 7:25 to play in the second quarter.
Mississippi finally cracked through the tough Alabama defense, running a 12-play possession 70 yards to close the gap to 10-7. Kylin Hill from Columbus High took it in from 9 yards out and the extra point was converted by Conner McKay with 4:11 to play until halftime.
After Alabama threw an interception, they got the ball back by a fumble recovery at the Mississippi 28. Unable to get further than the 15, Lane was called upon again and nailed the field goal from 32 yards with Alabama leading 13-7 at intermission.
Mississippi went ahead for the first time at 14-13 at the 9:03 mark in the third quarter on a 48-yard interception return by Kam White from Columbus High School.
Alabama was able to overcome the pick six, regaining the lead on a 39-yard field goal by Lane to make the score 16-14.
Then Alabama was given a safety for having to punt out of their end zone. Steven Thomas let the ball go through his hands and Alabama was given two points, taking the lead to 18-14 with 9:33 remaining.
Later, Mississippi went for it on fourth-and-2 from their 47. The pass play resulted in a 6-yard loss and Alabama took over from the Mississippi 41.
The drive culminated in a 13-yard run around right end by Brian Robinson. Lane tacked on the extra point and the Bama lead was at 25-14 with 3:07 showing.
Mississippi's next series ended with Malcom Askew of McAdory picking off a Braden Smith pass at the Alabama 40. Mississippi got the ball back but was unable to mount the comeback they needed.
They gave up the ball once again on downs at the Mississippi 36. Alabama ran out the final 12 seconds to get the victory and go to 22-8 all-time in the series.
After losing last year when the game was played at Southern Mississippi, Alabama has taken eight of the last nine assignments dating back to the 2008 season.
Thomas Johnston of Spanish Fort was named the MVP for Alabama with 16 tackles, one shy of tying the all-star record. He had 11 solo and five assisted stops.
Hill stood out as MVP for Mississippi with 91 yards rushing on 18 carries and a touchdown. He averaged 5.1 yards per run attempt.
Alabama's defense held Mississippi to zero for six in fourth-down conversions and forced one turnover.
Lane was effective with five punts for an average of 44.8 on the day with his longest coming at 60 yards. That was productive along with his three field goals and two extra points for 11 points he produced for the winners.
