Whatley, Upshaw chosen for all-star game
David Mundee
Published: November 12, 2007
Updated: November 13, 2007
Ryan Whatley and Courtney Upshaw have been major weapons the last two years for their respective schools, Houston Academy and Eufaula.Published: November 12, 2007
Updated: November 13, 2007
Now, the two will be weapons for the state of Alabama.
Whatley, a kicker, and Upshaw, a defensive end-tight end, have been selected to play for Alabama in the annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game Dec. 17 at Mobile’s Ladd-Peeples Stadium.
The two are among the 37 senior high school football players on Alabama’s roster for the game, announced the Alabama High School Athletic Association today.
The game had been played in June since its inception in 1988.
However, the date was changed to after the football season to help alleviate conflicts with college reporting dates and also have players in shape from the season.
Houston Academy’s Whatley will serve as Alabama’s kicker and punter. Eufaula’s Upshaw is listed as a tight end, but could also see time at defensive end.
“It is a big honor,” Whatley said of his selection. “I was a little surprise because I didn’t know if I would be selected. There are a lot of great kickers out there this year.”
Upshaw was also thrilled at being chosen.
“It feels great to be able to represent the state and to have the opportunity to play with other big-time players,” said Upshaw, an Alabama verbal commitment.
The Wiregrass will also be represented in the game by Eufaula head coach Dan Klages, who will serve as Alabama’s defensive ends coach.
Whatley was one of the top kickers in the area this year, hitting 8-of-12 field goals, including a 50 and 52 yarder. He also converted every extra-point attempt, making all 19 tries.
In addition, the majority of his kickoffs went into the end zone for touchbacks.
As a junior, Whatley hit four field goals and 56-of-59 extra points attempts. He hit one field goal, a 50-yarder, as a sophomore.
“I feel as good about Ryan as any kicker I have had and that’s is why I put him up for the game,” Houston Academy head coach Jimmy Addison said.
“He seems to have ice water in his veins and he has a strong leg .”
Whatley, though, deflected his success to others.
“First of all, my (kicking) coach Bill Burkett is a guy who has a lot knowledge and he helped me a lot,” Whatley said. “I also had a great snapper in Michael Nunnally and a great holder in Travis Gardner plus we had a lot of great blocking up front. We didn’t have one kick blocked.
“So there was a lot surrounding me that went into my success.”
In addition to kicking, Whatley will also punt for Alabama, a chore that he did rarely at HA. He punted three times for a 34.0-yard average in one game this year.
Whatley, though, didn’t think it would be problem.
“I do feel comfortable (punting),” Whatley said. “I have punted before and I have been competitive in practice with (HA punter) Brian Perkins often, so it won’t be an issue.”
Upshaw has been a terror for opposing teams this year on both sides of the ball.
He has 59 tackles on defense, but is a big-play specialist with 11 tackles for losses, including five quarterback sacks. He has caused three fumbles and recovered six, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Upshaw also has an interception and four pass knockdowns.
On offense, he shares the team lead in receptions with 20 heading into the Tigers’ second-round playoff game this week. He has three touchdowns and 296 total yards.
“Courtney gives tremendous effort and is a great competitor even in practice,” Eufaula’s Klages said. “He never misses practice and he works hard every day to improve.
“He has God-given talent with height and long arms, allowing him to have a long reach, which he is able to use to get off blocks. He is a great athlete, but he also has a lot of desire and plays with that tremendous desire.”
As a junior, Upshaw had 96 tackles, helping the Tigers to a state runner-up finish. Of the total, 20 were for losses, including seven QB sacks. He caused three fumbles, recovered one and had two interceptions.
Despite constant double teams this year, he still has excelled.
“Teams tend to scheme against him on both sides, but the numbers are still there and he continues to make big plays,” Klages said.
Both players said they were looking forward to meeting other top players for both teams.
“I am looking forward to doing that,” Upshaw said.
Representatives from the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA), the AHSAA, each of the eight AHSAA Athletic Districts, and the All-Star Classic games committee selected the Alabama players.
According to selection guidelines, at least one player must be selected from each of the six classifications and one from each of the eight athletic districts.
Reeltown head coach Jackie O’Neal is Alabama’s head coach. Others on the Alabama coaching staff are Daphne’s Glenn Vickery (offensive coordinator), Sidney Lanier’s L. C. Cole (defensive coordinator), Thomasville’s Jack Hankins, Eufaula’s Klages, Brooks’ Jerry Hill and Pelham’s Brett Burnett..
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