By Brannon King for the FCT

The AHSAA All Star Sports Week recently took place in Montgomery, and a couple of Russellville head coaches were on the staffs of two winning teams in North-South competition.

Russellville City Schools football head coach Mark Heaton was on the coaching staff led by Parker’s Andre Robinson for the North All Stars’ win over the team representing south Alabama. Earlier in the week, Russellville head soccer coach Trey Stanford helped lead the North boys to a win as well. Stanford coached along with Dan DeMasters of Oak Mountain High School in the game.

The football squads were made up of players who have just graduated from high school, and Russellville lineman Slate Wallace got a chance to suit up and play one more time for his former head coach. Wallace, whose senior season was cut short due to injury, was a late addition to the North roster, and Heaton said he was happy to be able to coach Wallace again. “It was a great opportunity for Slate,” Heaton said. “I had nominated him earlier in the year, and we had an offensive lineman that backed out at the last minute, so he actually got to go down and play in it, and it was an overall great experience.”

In the football game held July 20 at Cramton Bowl, the North team grabbed a 14-13 win. It was the second time Heaton has had the opportunity to coach in the All Star game – but the first time, he was on the South sideline.

“I think the best part about it was getting to meet new coaches and getting to meet kids and spend the week with them and make some new friends,” Heaton said. “It’s a privilege to coach in that and a privilege for those guys to play in it. We enjoyed being together and enjoyed the experience.”

The two teams played to a 7-7 tie in the first quarter before the North took a 14-7 lead to halftime. The South outscored the North 6-0 in the second half, but a try for two after a touchdown failed in the final quarter, and the North held on for the win.

Haleyville’s Will Evans was the North team MVP. The UNA signee caused a fumble that led to a touchdown and also blocked a punt to set up another score.

In the boys’ soccer game held July 18 at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex, the North team picked up a 5-2 win over the South. The North outscored the opponent 2-1 in the first half of the match and 3-1 in the second to get the win.

Cullman’s Miguel Tizapa scored three goals for the North and picked up the MVP award.

The experience was a good opportunity for the new Russellville program to gain some exposure as Stanford continues to build upon the boys’ successful first year.

“It was a great experience,” Stanford said. “You usually don’t get that many great players in one area. It was one of the best soccer teams I’ve ever seen, and Miguel Tizapa from Cullman is one of the best soccer players I’ve probably ever seen in my life.”

With Russellville’s success on the soccer field, Stanford said he hopes some of his players will get to take part in future All Star games as the program gains more attention around the state. “Hopefully next year, we’ll get a few guys to get to play with them, and that will be exciting.”

Heaton said he was pleased with how things went in Montgomery. “The athletic association does it first-class, and they do it the right way. It was a blessing to have the opportunity.”