Kwon Alexander

Oxford • 6-2, 210, LB

Alexander holds more than 20 Division I offers following a sophomore season in which he amassed 132.5 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

Trae Elston

Oxford • Jr. • 6-0, 177, DB

Elston’s size and speed have made him a national-level recruit along with Alexander and offensive lineman Michael Flint. He showed his sideline-to-sideline range with 65 stops from his safety slot.

Mickey Jackson

Piedmont • Sr. • 6-1, 308, DT

Jackson was a first-team all-state selection last season. He had 90 tackles and 11 sacks. Holds offers from Memphis, UAB, Southern Miss and La. Tech.

Jamie Major

Piedmont • So. • 6-1, 200, LB

The lone sophomore of the 12 is well-deserving of the notoriety. He led the Bulldogs in tackles as a freshman with 133 on their way to a 3A state championship and has been noted as one of the country’s top 100 players to watch in his class by one national outlet.

Bobby McCain

Oxford • Sr. • 5-10, 177, DB

McCain has shined on both sides of the ball on the summer circuit against top competition. He’ll have his choice of schools to choose from with Auburn, Tennessee and Mississippi State all in the mix.

Trey Fetner

Woodland • Sr. • 6-0, 200

Fetner has made a name for himself at quarterback camps near and far. He passed for 1,600 yards as a junior and holds an offer from the Ivy League’s Cornell.

Josiah Atkins

Anniston • Sr. • 6-1, 175, QB

Atkins was a first-team all-county choice last year and is one of the most electrifying playmakers through the air and on the ground. Threw for more than 1,700 yards and rushed for 450 as a junior.

Delrickus Rhoden

Wellborn • Sr. • 5-11 175, RB

Rhoden makes a return trip to the The Star’s Dandy Dozen squad. Rhoden rushed for 1,533 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead the Panthers to the playoffs after back-to-back 1-9 seasons.

Desmond Wills

Lincoln • Sr. • 6-1, 215, LB

Wills could be the next Golden Bears star to follow Jonathan George and D.J. Howard to a big-time college football program. He holds an offer from Kentucky.

Brandon Johnson

Saks • Sr. • 5-8, 155, RB

Johnson, who runs a legit 4.3-4.4 in the 40-yard dash, rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his all-county season as junior.

Allan Carson

Oxford • Sr. • 6-1, 308, DT

Carson committed to Tennessee in July and should be the anchor on the Yellow Jackets’ defensive line.

Jamaal Johnson

Piedmont • Sr. • 6-2, 180, S

Also a first-team all-state choice, Jackson led Piedmont with six interceptions last season. Memphis and Southern Miss have already offered him.

The Schedule

Below are the games scheduled for week one of the high school football season. Teams are listed in alphabetical order and area teams might be mentioned twice. Click here for a printable schedule of this season's games. Click here for a map with directions to local stadiums.

Thursday's games

Cherokee Co. hosts Cedar Bluff

Lincoln at Etowah

Saks hosts Ashville

Wadley at Horseshoe Bend

White Plains at Glencoe

Friday's games

Alexandria hosts Leeds

Anniston hosts E.B. Erwin

ASD at Jacksonville Christian

Clay County at Randolph Co.

Cleburne County hosts Lineville

Donoho hosts Decatur Hert.

Handley at Heard Co. (Ga.)

Jacksonville hosts John Carroll

Jacksonville Christian hosts ASD

Lineville at Cleburne County

Munford hosts Sylacauga

Ohatchee at N. Sand Mtn.

Oxford at Carrollton (Ga.)

Piedmont hosts Hokes Bluff

Pleasant Valley at Sand Rock

Ragland at Fayetteville

Ranburne hosts Spring Garden

Randolph Co. hosts Clay County

Spring Garden at Ranburne

Talladega hosts Winterboro

TC Central hosts Parrish

Weaver hosts Susan Moore

Wellborn hosts Gaston

Woodland hosts Bowdon (Ga.)