Blake Frazier, defensive coordinator at East Central Community College in Decatur, is serving as head coach of the Mississippi All-Stars in the inaugural Who’s the ‘Mann’ Annual High School Football Classic scheduled Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, in Baton Rouge, La.
Kickoff for the battle between Mississippi and Louisiana All-Stars is set for 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. The much-anticipated event is billed as “Louisiana the Boot” vs. “Mississippi the River.”
“It’s an honor to be selected to coach in the ‘Who is the ‘Mann’ All-Star Classic with Team Mississippi versus Team Louisiana,” said Frazier, who joined Brian Anderson’s staff in March 2010 following a successful stint at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia.
“I would also like to thank Coach Anderson, Dr. Phil Sutphin (ECCC President) and Chris Harris (athletic director) and the rest of the East Central family for the wonderful support they have shown me, and the hard work they have put into East Central Community College. It is also an honor to represent the State of Mississippi in an All-Star game against the State of Louisiana.”
Frazier quickly found success in guiding the Warrior defense in 2010, as the squad finished second in team defense (279.2 yards), third in rushing defense (105.5 yards) and sixth in passing defense (173.7 yards).
Coach Frazier’s staff includes several Warrior assistants, including defensive backs coach Keith Houston, who will serve as defensive coordinator; offensive line coach Kyle Watson, who will serve in the same capacity in addition to run game coordinator; wide receivers coach Derek Pouncey, who will serve as quarterbacks and running backs coach and pass game coordinator; and student assistant Jarvis Cole, who will direct special teams. Frazier will also serve as linebackers coach.
Other staff members are Leake Academy head coach Brian Pickens, defensive line; Wilmington College defensive backfield coach Brandon Lynch, defensive backs; and Brandon High School defensive coordinator Wyatt Rogers, wide receivers.
Representing ECCC’s five-county district on the Team Mississippi roster are wide receiver Cameron Stowers of Forest, defensive end LaKenneth Weidman of South Leake, return specialist Cameron Paschel of Winston Academy, and wide receiver Josh Montgomery and defensive back Za Reese, both of Morton.
Serving as head coach of Team Louisiana is Vincent Mann, Sr., who has 20 years coaching experience on the professional, college, high school and minor league levels. The 2006 Hall of Fame inductee was coached by Archie “Gunslinger” Cooley, Jr., known as the originator of the spread offense.
A Louisiana vs. Mississippi “Battle of the Bands” is also scheduled and begins at 1 p.m. at the stadium.
The all-star game is sanctioned by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. Former New Orleans Saints running back and Morton native Deuce McAllister is a primary sponsor.
For more information, contact Coach Blake Frazier at ECCC, 601-635-2111, ext. 371. His e-mail address is bfrazier@eccc.edu.