DAPHNE — High school football players heading to the college ranks and some still hoping to get a scholarship offer will snap their chinstraps  in Pensacola for the popular East-West Max Emfinger All-American Bowl Game Friday night.

The showcase game for potential collegiate talent — originally to be played at Daphne’s Jubilee Stadium — will kick off Friday at Pensacola High School's Scroggins Stadium at 6 p.m. The event was moved after it was discovered that it had not been sanctioned by the AHSAA. 

East coach Mike Bennett, head coach of Pensacola High, said practices were going well and each squad appears to be evenly matched.

“All of these kids kids are good and want to get better,” he said after practice News Year’s Day. “I’m already impressed with the talent and work ethic. Lot of character, lot of drive and enthusiasm. Most of these guys already have what college coaches are looking for physically. On the field they want to see size, speed, aggressiveness between whistles, effort and all that. But they want to know about attitude, G.P.A.s, personality, consistency. It's basically a job interview and tryout and we're here helping these guys beef up their resume. Some are already going somewhere, but some are still trying to get noticed. Getting a good education is the most important thing and that's what we stress, but if you have the athletic skills to help you get there, we want to help.”

Six Daphne players, three on the East and three on the West, received invitations. Trojans’ senior quarterback T.J. Fleeton—who has already committed but not signed with Louisiana-Lafayette — was added after some West players failed to show. Colby Simmons of Gulf Shores will also quarterback the West with Trojan offensive linemen Robert Alexander and Ashton McQuitery.

West coach Jimmy Longerbeam of Bay High in Panama City (Fla.) was happy to have them after several Texas players declined at the last minute.

The East offense will have Foley’s Maison Taylor at quarterback and will have some familiar Lions teammates R.J. Hulse and Michael Valdez up front along with Willie Dennis and Kevin Jones and Spanish Fort’s Sammy Tolbert at tailback. Patrick Smith of Memphis is listed as a quarterback and free safety.

“My offensive line coach is very excited with the guys so far,” Bennett said. “Very impressed with the Foley guys, R.J. and Michael, and all the offensive linemen here are very impressive. I was sorry we had to give a couple of the Daphne guys over to coach Longerbeam, but it should help balance things out and that’s what makes for a real showcase.”

Mike Ebert, a longtime Baldwin County coach, educator, recruiter and promoter of the Emfinger program, has been active in the increased numbers of local players getting well-deserved extra looks and also helped bring the game to Daphne this year.

“We have had over 50 from Baldwin County play in the last three of these and with 21 last year and 25 this year, I thought why not host one, especially this year. I checked with coach Mike Vickery at Daphne and everyone there was supportive also and with the City of Daphne. I just want to thank everybody involved for letting us use the Stadium for the game and the (Al Trione) Park for practices. Most of these kids still don’t have offers, but would if the right person sees them.”

Other local players still listed as East players as of Wednesday are Fairhope’s Dre Ervin (cornerback), Devin Odom (slot), Casey Ray Simerly (DE), Bryan Bell (CB); Baldwin County High’s Andre J. Cox (slot); Gulf Shores’ Tyler Sellers (CB); Jaxson Steele Cales (FS), Brandon Stuart (OLB ) and Thrisstan Cornell (WR); Spanish Fort’s Kylan Cotton (CB) and Grant Curtis (OG); Foley’s Kevin Jones (WR) and Nate Cole (DE) Daphne’s Anthony Blackmon (FS), Elliot Williams (DE), Trey Rembert (CB) and Horace Johnson (WR). Mobile players include Andrew Bailey (OG) of UMS-Wright and Barry James (OC ) of Davidson.

Daphne head coach Glenn Vickery, who returned to work full time this week after a serious surgery sidelined him for the playoffs, said he was happy so many DHS and other local players were taking part in the annual recruiting showcase the Emfinger game has become.

“This is always a great opportunity for a lot of kids to show what they can do. And we’re glad to help. It will be fun (for) our kids and some of the other local guys (to) play again with or against each other. But the main thing is to help these players get a scholarship or aid of some kind. And to not only play football at the next level, but also to continue their education.”