A total of 74 outstanding senior student-athletes from across the state have been named to North-South All-Star football squads for the 16th annual Alabama All-Star Sports Week competition in Montgomery July 9-13, according to an announcement by Alvin Briggs, Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA).

Sports Week, which also includes in-state all-star games in baseball, softball, volleyball and boys and girls basketball and soccer, will also feature the Summer Conference with clinics and special sessions for coaches, principals, athletic directors, cheerleader coaches and officials. The volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball and soccer teams were previously announced.

Steve Smith of Piedmont will serve as head coach for the North squad and Kerry Stevenson of Vigor will be the South head coach. The South won the last year’s game 37-33 at Cramton Bowl in what turned out to be the biggest offensive output in the game’s 53-game history. The South holds a 29-22-2 edge heading into this summer’s contest July 12.

Stevenson’s South assistant coaches include Dan Klages of Eufaula, Kelvis White of Dothan, Brian Blackmon of Opelika, Andro Williams of Linden, Leroy Miles of Selma and Clifford Story of Lanett. Smith’s North staff includes Keith Register of Fultondale, Jerry Hood of Clay-Chalkville, Dan Beavers of Rogers, Patrick Plott of Pickens County, Brent Tinker of Ider and Bryan Jennings of Susan Moore.

Also, an All-Sports Equipment Expo and other related activities are scheduled throughout the week. Two of the highlights will be the Sportsmanship Banquet, which honors all schools that have not had an ejection or fine during the 2011-12 school year, and the week-ending Championship Coaches Awards Banquet that will include the naming of the 2011-12 Making A Difference Coaches of the Year.

The AHSADCA operates under the auspices of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Membership includes coaches of all AHSAA sports as well as administrators of member schools.

Smith has one very familiar name on the North roster. Piedmont’s Sloan Garner was selected to the squad as a wide receiver. The 6’7” Garner, who recently accepted a basketball scholarship with Gadsden State, was a first team all-state honoree in football by the ASWA.