By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

Thompson head coach Mark Freeman was told he had been nominated to be the head coach of the Alabama All-Star team that will compete in the 29^th annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game back in the early summer, at the end of the 2014-15 school year. Freeman had already made the transition from his old head-coaching job at Spanish Fort to Thompson back in December of 2014, and didn’t really have too much time to spend thinking about the opportunity, as he was busy gearing up for his first season as Thompson’s new head coach.

“It was the end of last school year (when I found out),” Freeman said on Nov. 11. “I didn’t have much time to think about it, we were so busy trying to get Thompson going, trying to get our own kids going.”

Now, after successfully resurrecting the Thompson program and leading the Warriors to a 5-5 record in an incredibly tough region, Freeman can fully appreciate the position he finds himself in.

“I’m honored to be considered for it, it’s an honor,” Freeman said. “This is a big deal because it’s the first time we’re going out of state (to play).”

Freeman also went on to say he was excited to be able to represent the city of Alabaster and Thompson High School at the event, and how he was happy the school and city would have a representative at the game.

The roster, which is comprised of 40 of the top high school seniors from across the state, also presents a reunion opportunity for Freeman, who will get the chance to coach two of his former players from Spanish Fort, quarterback Tyler Johnston and offensive lineman Jacob Johnson.

“That’s exciting, that’s going to be good to see them,” Freeman said. “We’re going to have a team full of great athletes. Those committees worked hard to select the team.”

Freeman, who was the offensive coordinator for the Alabama team in the 2013 game, knows first-hand that while this game is an exhibition, there is no love lost between either team, and both sides take this matchup seriously.

“It’s a very meaningful game,” Freeman said. “Both state executive directors are wanting their teams to do well. We take it seriously as a state, and so does Mississippi.”

The game will take place at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Saturday, Dec. 12. Both teams will have from the preceding Tuesday through Friday to practice and prepare for the contest.

Alabama holds a 21-7 advantage in the series, which dates back to 1988 and has also won the last seven games in a row, although the game in 2014 came down to the wire. This is the first time in the history of the series that the matchup will take place in Mississippi.