Local Players Chosen For Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game
Drew Lawson of Bob Jones and Sparkman’s Karon White are the two lone local members of the Alabama All-Star squad so chosen by the AHSACDA All-Star Selection Committee from nominations submitted by coaches at a meeting Oct. 14.
Lawson plays on the offensive line at center for the Patriots at 6-foot-2, 295 pounds while White is a defensive lineman at 6-2, 275.
“Obviously this is a huge honor and I’m very grateful to be chosen to be among some great talent on our squad,” said Lawson, who is also the heavyweight wrestler for the Bob Jones wrestling team. “I’m somewhat surprised I was chosen as Coach (Kelvis) White told me I was nominated for the team. Matter of fact, he’s the one who told me I was chosen one day as practice was getting underway.”
For the 6-2, 275 White, the selection is a bitter-sweet moment as part of his senior season at Sparkman where he plays for his father Laron White, who is in his fourth season as head coach of the Senators’ program. The grooming of the young White came from numerous directions surrounding the Appalachian State commit.
“This was a group effort since I was young as it was my father and my grandfather who helped me all my life in this direction,” said White, who carries a 4.0 grade point average. “My defensive coach here at Sparkman, Matt Smith, has really helped me as my talent level has risen tremendously. This was a great experience with Coach Smith tops by only my dad.”
Lawson is currently undecided about his future in college as he has received six scholarship offers for football and one for his talents as a wrestler. The football offers include schools representing NCAA Div. II and III with an additional offer from a NAIA school. Lawson said he plans on studying education with his dream of becoming a coach. As for his football talents the game committee looked at in their selection process, Lawson said of his self-description, “I work hard. I even workout in my garage after practices. I try and eat a good nutritional diet that has helped me become a good athlete. I take pride in that the one area I’ve really improved in is I’m more aggressive in my blocking technique and finish my blocks.”
For White, he played football, basketball and baseball through middle school before concentrating on his desire to excel in football. He will enroll in college in January and the All-Star Classic is what White feels is a great way to end his high school years. He added, “I’m a leader on the field and try and rally others on the team. I play every play as it was the first play of the game. I feel I’m quick on my feet as I’m slightly smaller than many defensive lineman. I use my hand techniques to obtain leverage and use my strength to make the plays.”
White knows he’s many times under the watchful eyes of the media and the fans due to the fact he’s the coach’s son, but he’s secure with who he is and how he’s proud of the fact he’s highly thought of to be among the elite group of players on the All-Star team.
“This is something I’ve strived for and has always been my goal,” said White. “My dad had players from his other teams through the years make the All-Star Classic and I made myself ready for the challenge. Once this game is complete I will hit the ground running in preparation for college.”
