Six Baldwin County standouts represented the South last Friday at 67th North-South Football All-Star Classic, taking the field at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile.

Daphne's Edrick "EJ" Williams and Malique Franklin, Fairhope's Grant Thompson and Will Cooper, Gulf Shores' Nick Hampton and Orange Beach's Dylan Tabb were among the area players selected for the annual showcase.

The North pulled away in the fourth quarter to claim a 41-28 victory in a back-and-forth, high-scoring game that featured more intensity than typically expected from an all-star event.

"I felt it from the first snap. They (the North) were chirping and it was very intense," Fairhope lineman Will Cooper said.

Tabb and Cooper both started on the offensive line for the South. Tabb lined up at left tackle, filling his familiar role from Orange Beach, while Cooper started on the right side. Although Cooper played defensive line at Fairhope, the Jacksonville State signee elected to compete at offensive line — his future college acknowledges — for the all-star game.

"I am in love with it," Cooper said of playing offensive line. "Obviously going to be a long journey, that was only two to three days of work, but I love it and I feel like I am going to be great at it."

Hampton rotated throughout the game, seeing snaps at tight end, H-back and split out wide at receiver. The Troy signee finished with one catch for 10 yards. His postseason schedule continues later this month when he competes in the Military Appreciation Bowl (U.S. Army Bowl) in Frisco, Texas.

Defensively, Williams and Franklin led the South's Baldwin County contingent, each recording five tackles. Williams, a Louisiana-Lafayette signee, started at safety and rarely left the field while also contributing on offense on a goal-line reverse that resulted in a short gain. Franklin, an Alabama signee, played primarily at defensive end and as an edge rusher.

Thompson handled all specialist duties for the South, managing kickoffs and punts while converting all four of his extra-point attempts. His lone field-goal try, a 25-yarder, was blocked by the North squad. The Pirates kicker stated that it was a challenge to get used to a new snapper and holder on short notice.

"I don't feel like I performed my best," Thompson said. "But I am grateful to get chosen for the all star game. Currently I am uncommitted and still looking for a college to call home.