Published: May 05, 2008 01:25 pm            

Bennett chosen for South all-star squad

Meadow Bridge High School senior Justin Bennett plans to attend Concord University and walk on to the football team this fall.

Before that, however, he will participate in the annual North-South all-star football game.

Bennett, a 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, will play for the South squad coached by Herbert Hoover’s Steve Stoffel. The North will be coached by Cameron’s Jim Rogers.

The contest, which pits some of the state’s best seniors against each other, is set for Saturday, June 21 at 7 p.m. at the University of Charleston Stadium’s Laidley Field. The Marriott is the title sponsor.

Bennett is the son of the late Joe Bennett, a longtime MBHS coach/teacher who played football at Concord. The younger Bennett was coached by veteran coach Larry McClintic, and the Wildcats enjoyed two playoff berths during a career in which he was a two-year starter. In his time in a Wildcat uniform, Bennett played tight end, defensive end and special teams. He was twice an all-Fayette County selection.

Bennett will attend CU on an academic scholarship.

The West Virginia Schools Athletic Coaches Association sponsors the North-South game. Directing training camp and game activities will be Riverside head coach Ralph Hensley.

The current series began in 1976, with the South owning a 19-13 edge.

Game tickets are $8 and can be purchased by contacting Lou Ann Lanham, Laidley Field, 300 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, WV 25301. Enclose a check payable to Laidley Field and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

In addition to Bennett, the South roster will also include Woodrow Wilson’s Marquel Ali, Princeton’s T.J. Benner, James Monroe’s Nick Conete, Wyoming East’s Blake Cook, Bluefield’s Chris Harris and Ansel Ponder, Riverside’s Chuckie Erby and Julius Holbrook, Mount View’s Cordero High, Greenbrier West’s Jarrod King and Richwood’s Shawn Murphy.

        

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