Preview the 27th Annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Soccer Competition

Montgomery, AL – In a thrilling announcement by Brandon Dean, Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA), the highly anticipated North-South All-Star Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer teams for the upcoming 27th annual AHSAA competition have been unveiled. Comprising four teams, each consisting of 18 talented rising seniors from the class of 2024, these squads are set to showcase their skills in a battle of supremacy. The AHSADCA, operating under the esteemed Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), will host a week-long All-Star event from July 17th to 21st, featuring exhilarating games in basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, cross country, tennis, and golf. Notably, the All-Star teams for fall and winter sports have already been announced, heightening the anticipation for this soccer extravaganza.

Recalling the remarkable showdown of the 64th annual North-South All-Star Football Game held in Mobile last December, the South emerged triumphant with a resounding 42-7 victory. Now, the spotlight shifts to the soccer field as the coaching lineup for the 2023 All-Star Soccer squads has been revealed. Leading the charge for the North Girls’ team are Samantha Corker from Gadsden City, Max Norman from East Limestone, and the retired George Cavender in an administrative coaching role. On the South Girls’ side, Bill Ferguson from Auburn, Spencer Duran from St. Paul’s Episcopal, and Ken Wright from Montgomery Public Schools (serving as an administrative coach) will guide their team’s pursuit of glory. Taking charge of the North Boys’ team are Patrick McDonald from Pelham, Joey Barrier from Mars Hill Bible, and George Cavender, while the South Boys’ team will be under the tutelage of Joe Nelson from Dothan, Matheus Mello from Montgomery Academy, and Ken Wright, once again in an administrative coaching capacity.

Noteworthy inclusions on the South girls’ team are three standout players who recently competed in the 2023 AHSAA State Soccer finals at Huntsville’s John Hunt Park. Katie Brightwell, the forward from Saint James, played a pivotal role in leading her team to the Class 1A-3A finals. With an impressive tally of 58 goals during the 2023 season, Brightwell boasts a remarkable total of 188 goals to her name, ranking her seventh in AHSAA history. As she gears up for her senior season, she sets her sights on breaking the record of 232 goals, held by Jordan Richmond from Holy Spirit Catholic, who achieved the feat from 2012 to 2016. In addition to her goal-scoring prowess, Brightwell has also contributed 75 career assists. Joining her on the South girls’ team are Mally Nappier, a defender from Auburn who competed in the 7A state finals, and Madison Yi, who played a vital role in Montgomery Academy’s girls securing a second-place finish in Class 6A.

The North squad also boasts three players who showcased their talents in state championship matches this season. AnnaLi Weekley, the Class 4A MVP from state champion Westminster Christian, headlines the talented trio. Chelsey Curtis, a member of Sparkman’s 7A state championship team, and Maggie Nalley, who played an instrumental role in Springville’s first-ever 5A state crown, complete the North’s formidable lineup.

The boys’ all-star soccer squads are equally captivating, featuring eight players who competed in state finals this year. On the North team, Cristian Barrientos from Class 6A state champion Fort Payne, Charles Farr from Class 5A state champion John Carroll Catholic, and Christian Cruz from Tanner, who secured their first-ever state crown in Class 1A/3A, are set to make their mark. Additionally, William Jackson from Homewood, a key member of the Patriots’ 2022 state championship team, participated in this year’s AHSAA state finals. Unfortunately, his team suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to Fort Payne. Representing the South team are Thomas Cunningham from Class 4A state champion Bayside Academy, Noah Clark from Class 7A state champion Daphne, Talan Galvan from the Class 5A state runner-up Gulf Shores, and James Stephenson from St. Luke’s Episcopal, who finished as the Class 1A-2A state runner-up.

The highly anticipated North-South all-star girls’ and boys’ soccer competition is scheduled to take place at Emory Folmar Stadium near AUM on Wednesday, July 19. To ensure that fans don’t miss out on any of the exhilarating action, the doubleheader will be live-streamed by the NFHS Network and AHSAA TV Network.

As the teams gear up for this thrilling clash, it is worth noting that the North holds a commanding lead in the series’ history. Having swept the matches 5-0 and 6-3 in 2022, the North girls’ team boasts a series lead of 17-3-1, while the North boys’ team holds a solid advantage with a series lead of 14-4-1. With the South eager to turn the tide and assert their dominance, spectators can expect nothing less than an intense battle on the field.

Mark your calendars and prepare for a soccer spectacle like no other. The stage is set, the teams are ready, and the North-South All-Star Soccer competition promises to be a riveting affair filled with skill, passion, and unforgettable moments.