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Magnolia stars shine brightest in Classic
Mississippi had lost eight of the last nine games including a 51-14 blowout just a few months ago in July. The game was moved to December this year to help the Classic hold on to some of the invitees who have in the past declined to attend for various reasons. This year's team was loaded with guys like Foley's Julio Jones, who is the number one player in the country according to Scout.com and ESPN, Alabama commitments Burton Scott, Courtney Upshaw, Brandon Lewis, John Michael Boswell, Robert Lester and Wesley Neighbors. Also on the team are two Auburn commitments (Reggie Hunt and Barrett Trotter) and several top uncommitted prospects like Jerrell Harris and William Green. So how did a team with such firepower get manhandled Monday night at Ladd-Peebles? It's simple. The team from our neighboring state wanted it more. While Jones and some of these other guys were thought to be the best players on the field a couple of guys from the Magnolia state changed some of those thoughts. Mammoth 6-foot-6 wide receiver Deandre Brown showed the world that he is at least as talented as the heralded Jones, even if Jones was hampered by a lingering injury. The guy who may have had the most impressive performance was 6'1 Alonzo Lawrence from George County, Miss. The lockdown corner was said to have shut down Brown all week during practice, but it wasn't until his domination of Jones in the Classic that his true talents were showcased. If there was a D-1 and future NFLplayer on the field, Lawrence definitely fills those shoes. Now, before people start to panick, thinking the Alabama players are overrated, let me set the record straight. That was not the case. Sometimes the talent level of a team does not guarantee success on the field. For proof of that all one needs to do is look back to November when a team from Monroe, La. rolled over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Should that team be able to stay on the field with an upperechelon SEC team? No way, but if you play the game like it is meant to be played anything is possible.
If you don't believe me ask the little known cornerback from Mississippi that shut down the number one player in the country on his way to a MVP performance and instant star status.
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