By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
When the 2019 Subway All-Star Football Game kicks off this Friday, December 13, at Blue Wahoos Stadium in Pensacola, Fla., four Northview High seniors will represent their school on the West squad.
Fullback Trent Peebles, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards and scored more than 20 touchdowns, will be joined by offensive linemen Garrick Davis and Cameron Findley, as well as linebacker Wyatt Windham.
After making an early departure from the playoffs this season, the four senior players get to spend one last game together inside the football huddle.
“It’s an honor to be picked to play in this game,” said Peebles, son of Atmore Fire Chief Ron Peebles and Darlene Peebles. “It offers one last opportunity to play in a game with my teammates and to get one more high school football game. I can’t wait to play in front of family and friends.”
For Davis, the chance to play in the all-star game is a dream come true.
“It is a blessing to have this opportunity,” the lineman said. “This has been a long-term personal goal since my sophomore year. I always dreamed of one day being able to have the opportunity to represent my school in this game.”
“This opportunity means a lot to me,” Windham said. “I have always wanted to play in this game and it’s a huge accomplishment that we were picked.”
For Findley, the opportunity gives him a chance to play in front of family and friends and to honor his team and school.
“It is a major privilege,” Findley said. “To have the chance to play one last time in front of family and friends and to represent our school and community is a high honor. We are all blessed to be selected for this opportunity to play one last high school football game.”
Northview head coach Derek Marshman said the all-star game will mark the end of an era during which the four all-star seniors have played a big role.
“These guys will not truly be replaced,” Marshman said. “The shoe will simply be filled next season by another group of leaders. You can’t just replace these guys.
They have been a huge asset to our organization and school; they work very hard and are serious about every task they take on and, above all, they do things the right way.
“These four are great representatives of our program, and this game is a bittersweet moment. They will be missed next season, but it’s a process of filling in the puzzle pieces without them on the roster. They will be moving on to bigger things and conquering their goals in life.”