Winona cornerback Davandre Bays was chosen as Most Valuable Player of the Bernard Blackwell North/South All Star Game as a member of the South team. Played in the rain on a muddy field at Gulfport Dec. 8, the game ended in a scoreless tie for only the second time in the 70-year history of the game.
One of the few scoring opportunities for the North ended in an end zone interception by Bays. “The ball was in the air and I made a play on it,” Bays said.
He made interceptions a habit for Winona during the season with eight, resulting in his selection as Region 5-3A Most Outstanding Defensive Back and first team all state for Class 3A.
Bays has not made a decision about next year, but he said he plans to attend a junior college, probably Northeast Mississippi. “They need a guy like me to come in and replace the guys they are losing.”
Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Classic
Mississippi made it two in a row with a 24-20 victory Dec. 17 at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.. The Magnolia State all stars won the game with a strong ground game behind a big and powerful offensive line that included Caleb Warren of 1A state champion Nanih Waiya.
Mississippi ran for 257 yards, including 176 in the second half when Mississippi broke away from a 7-7 halftime score with two touchdowns and a field goal. Jarod Conner of Hattiesburg ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns to earn MVP honors.
The Mississippi defense included linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk and lineman Charles Moore of 4A champion Louisville.
