By Steve Carter
TIFTON — Two members of the Tift County Blue Devils will get a chance to represent the Devils even after the state football playoffs are completed.
Tift head coach Jay Walls announced Tuesday that Israel Troupe and Charlie Edwards have both been selected for the GACA North-South All-Star Football Game set for Dec. 28 at Columbus’ Memorial Stadium.
After taking part in that contest, Troupe will then travel to Orlando, Fla. to take part in the first-ever East Meets West High School All-American Football Game, which will be played Jan. 6, 2007 at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. Troupe had also been invited to play in the Max Emfinger All-American game in Shreveport, La. Jan. 5, 2007, but turned down that offer to take part in the Florida contest.
Walls is excited about the Tift duo playing in Columbus as it means he will get to coach the two players one last time as Walls has also been selected to be an assistant under South head coach Doug Johnson of Houston County.
“It’s a great honor for our kids because there are some really tremendous players in the state,” said Walls. “There are a bunch of guys out there who could do a great job, and for us to have two guys is a honor.”
Troupe was named first-team All-State as a sophomore and as a junior. In 2006, the University of Georgia commitment caught 48 passes for 498 yards.
Since his sophomore season, Troupe has 113 catches for the Devils.
Edwards has converted 16-of-24 field goals and 25-of-26 point afters in 2006. The senior also has a 42.8 yards-per-punt average.
One more field goal would give Edwards 40 for his high school career. His 39 field goals is believed to be the second highest total in Georgia high school history.
Edwards kicked 18 field goals in 2005, one short of the state record for one season.
“Both of these guys are very worthy,” said Walls.
“You look at Charlie; he has been a four-year starter and the past two years he has just been a phenomenal kicker.
“Israel has been an all-state player for the past three years and has done a tremendous job.”
Edwards is looking forward to the contest.
“I am looking forward to it. It will be fun going against the best players in the state,” the senior said.
Being picked for two games means Troupe will be away from home, but he does not mind.
“It is a big honor to be able to play in both games,” the senior receiver said. “I am especially excited about representing South Georgia in the North-South game.”
Troupe is especially excited about being in Columbus with Edwards and Walls.
“Charlie and I talked about it today, and we’re both excited about being there,” Troupe said. “And I’m really excited about having coach Walls being one of the coaches because he knows what I like, and he will help me get the ball.”
As far as the national all-star game, Troupe said he decided on playing in that contest after, “I looked at the East-West game, and I decided it suited me better than the other (Max Emfinger) game.”
The location was a big part in that decision.
“It is going to be fun being at Disney World for a week. They told us we will have free passes for the entire week,” Troupe said.
The senior receiver is also excited about getting “to represent the school and the county in a national game. It will be big for me because hopefully we also be state champions by then.”
No matter what happens, Walls is happy for Edwards and Troupe.
“It is great recognition for them and our program,” the Tift head coach said.
