Each year in December, the week after the Florida football state championships, seniors from Escambia County take on seniors from Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties in the Subway High School All-Star Football Game. This East (Okaloosa & Santa Rosa) vs. West (Escambia) battle started back in 2004 when community and sports leaders partnered with Pensacola Sports (then Pensacola Sports Association) to create an event to showcase Pensacola area seniors in one final game for their high school career.
During the regular high school season, area head coaches send in their nominations for their top seniors. Once nominations are in, Pensacola Sports holds a selection meeting, in which every school attends, to form the teams. Each roster is made up of 44 seniors, and each school is guaranteed at least two roster spots on the team. The goal of the game is to showcase each player, so everyone is guaranteed playing time. Some players view this game as one final chance to prove to college scouts that they have what it takes to play on the next level, while others simply use the game to take it all in and celebrate the career they’ve had over the past four years with old teammates and new friends.
Pensacola Sports Executive Director Ray Palmer, who has been a part of all 12 All-Star Games says, “The players selected to play in the game can take great pride in knowing they were selected by not only their coaches, but the other coaches in the three county region. Their selection allows them to play one more game in front of family, friends, classmates and fans from the area before moving on to the next stage of their lives, with something special to remember.”
“For many of the student’s last prep experience, showcase talent against some of the best the area,” said Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Escambia County. It’s amazing how many kids are recruited because of their appearance in the game. It’s amazing the success stories that come from the All Star Game, and to be selected is monumental for the young men.”
“Coaching in the All-Star Game provides a coach with an opportunity to see the best players in the area in a different light, see how they interact with their peers, see their work ethic, and things you wouldn’t see during a game,” said Greg Seibert, former all-star coach and head coach from Catholic High. “It really provides us with an opportunity to get to know our colleagues and see how they interact with players and see their coaching techniques.”
Pensacola Sports facilitates the event by setting up coaching rotations, selection meetings, and practice dates, as well as ordering uniforms, scheduling referees, painting the field, inviting over 200 college scouts from the Southeast, and organizing a banquet for the players.
The Pensacola area is proud to be the hometown of many great National Football League and college football players such as Emmitt Smith, Derrick Brooks, Danny Wuerfel, and Josh Sitton. Because of this, college recruiters do not pass up on the chance to see 88 of the best area players in one game. Over 250 colleges from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana are invited to the games and practices to get a first-hand look at the talent.
For a high school senior without many college options, obtaining a football scholarship might be the only way for him to attend college. Pensacola Sports hosts the Subway High School All-Star Football Game to help these seniors continue their football career, as well as pursue their college education.
The 2016 game will take place on December 16th at 7:00 p.m. at a location that has yet to be determined. If you have any questions about the game, please contact Pensacola Sports at 850-434-2800.
Subway HSAS Alumni to play in the NFL:
Graham Gano, 2004, Tate, Carolina Panthers
Mike Johnson, 2004, Pine Forest, Retired
George Selvie, 2004, Pine Forest, Free Agent
Terrell McLain, 2006, Pensacola, Dallas Cowboys
Alfred Morris, 2006, Pine Forest, Dallas Cowboys
Ladarious Green, 2007, Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
Trent Richardson, 2008, Escambia, Baltimore Ravens
Akeem Spence, 2008, Fort Walton Beach, Tampa Bay Bucs
Loucheiz Purifoy, 2010, Pine Forest, Indianapolis Colts
ITG Web Content
All-Star Football Game Showcases Area Talent
Story and Photos Submitted by Pensacola Sports
