Jets well represented in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Game
MADISON – Two 37-player rosters have been selected for the 66th AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Game. The two squads will square off at Mobile’s Hancock Whitney Stadium on Friday, Dec. 13 and will feature two players along with a coach from James Clemens.
Already announced among the North’s coaching staff is James Clemens head coach Chad McGehee. He will get the chance to assist two of his own players at the mid-December game as both Isaac Achenbach and Micah Douglas were selected to be among the North squad which will square off against a similar selected team representing the South portion of Alabama in the scheduled 7:00 p.m. kickoff.
Achenbach (TE, 6-6, 240, Sr.) has committed to Air Force and will sign with the Falcons in December. He was chosen to play tight end while Douglas (OL, 6-3, 245, Sr.) is undecided on his choice of college while playing left tackle for the Jets.
“I’m stunned to be a part of this event and I feel blessed to be chosen as this game allows me a chance to put myself on the map of high school football in Alabama,” said Douglas, who was named the team’s offensive lineman of the year a season ago in his junior campaign. “Seriously, I know how good I am, but I didn’t know others saw my talents.”
Achenbach, who carries a 3.9 grade point average and looks to get into the medical field while attending the Air Force Academy, said of his selection, “I was surprised as I didn’t think I’d still be playing football after our season here at James Clemens was over. I’m very thankful to have this wonderful opportunity to play alongside Micah a while longer. Many of us on our team have been teammates for at least six years. I love these guys. We all feel connected and I know it won’t be that way once I arrive in college.”
The South won last year’s game in Mobile 3128 on a late field goal and improved its lead in the series to 35-28-2. The first North-South Game was played in Tuscaloosa in 1948. This year’s game will be the fifth classic contest played at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
“I’m excited. I always like the challenge as this game will give me the answer of if I can play against the best players going into college,” said Achenbach. “This challenge will test my limits, my skills.”
For Douglas, one of the top rated shot put and discus athletes in Alabama is a mainstay on the James Clemens track and field team. He’s been playing football since age five when he played for the youth league Madison Patriots. He’s also a well versed trumpet player as he played in every band possible when he attended Liberty Middle School. “I’m just a simple guy. I do my job and then go home,” explained Douglas.
As starting left tackle, Douglas is what he explained as “A leader who believes in good technique. I get it done, whatever that challenge is. I want to give a shout out to my ‘Hogs.’ That’s what we call our entire offensive line as they have helped me get to where I am. I can’t thank them enough.”
