By By Matthew Nascone
The stars will shine brightly Friday night in Pensacola as Escambia (Fla.) High School hosts the 2nd annual Pensacola Sports Association High School All-Star Football Game.
Cedric McKinley, Josh Turner and Courtney Whatley will represent Northview High School in the winter classic. The game includes the best athletes from 18 schools in the northwest Florida area.
McKinley, Turner and Whatley will participate on the North squad and have been practicing with the team since Monday.
McKinley summed the experience up in three words.
"It feels great," he said.
As a defensive end for the Chiefs, McKinley had 50 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, five sacks and one interception.
Turner expressed his emotion in a few more words than McKinley, but he said the feeling was the same for him.
"It is a good way to cap off a good season since we had a turnaround season this year," Turner said. "We made huge strides from last year and it feels good to have another game to play."
Turner had only nine catches for 84 yards as a receiver, but Keene said he was extremely valuable to the team as a blocker on running plays. Keene said Turner's biggest impact came when he was blocking for tailbacks Nakita Myles and Deonta Davison.
Whatley said he was glad for himself and his teammates for receiving the honor of playing in the All-Star game.
"I'm glad I made it and I am glad we made it especially," Whatley said. "It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get there."
As the Chiefs' quarterback Whatley completed 37 of 90 passes and threw for 500 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
NHS head coach Cody Keene said he was happy for boys to go and represent NHS as All-Stars.
"They are all good kids and we are very proud of them," Keene said. "All three of these guys want to play in college and this is a great opportunity for them to get looked at by college coaches. All three of them are very deserving of this honor."
Keene said he wants to make sure the boys receive the support of the fans and he asked for everyone who can make it to the game Friday to please make the trip.
"We would like for all the fans to show these guys the support they earned," Keene said. "There will be some very good football talent on that field."
The NHS three and all the other All-Stars were selected when all the head coaches in the area voted in November. The head coaches are all invited to participate in the event as well, but Keene said he would give up his spot for one of his assistants.
"I believe it is a good opportunity for a young coach," Keene said. "Mark Heaton will be going in my place and he should be able to pick up some great ideas from all the other coaches at the game."
Keene sent Karl Smith for the inaugural game last year.