The Alabama team used a big play defense and a ball control offense to defeat the Mississippi All Stars 19-7 in the 34th annual Alabama-Mississippi All Star Classic on Saturday at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl.
The Alabama secondary, led by Alabama’s game MVP Ga’Quincy McKinstry of Pinson Valley, had an All-Star Classic record by picking off five passes. The Alabama offense piled up 357 yards to Mississippi's 133 yards. The win pushed Alabama's advantage in the series to 23-11 overall. McKinstry also had 3 receptions on offense for 76 yards and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
Saraland's Terrente Hinton intercepted a Mississippi pass on the second play of the game and returned it to the Mississippi 15 yard line. But the Alabama offense couldn't move the ball and a 28 yard field goal attempt was wide.
Alabama took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when quarterback Will Crowder of Gardendale found receiver Christian Lewis of Pleasant Grove in the right corner of the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown. The touchdown capped a five-play, 63-yard drive. Alabama took a 10-0 lead into halftime when Spain Park's Drake Tabor booted a 25 yard field goal at the end of a 14 play drive.
Alabama defensive back Noah Warren of Auburn intercepted a pass at the Mississippi 47 and ran it back 32 yards to the Mississippi 15. The visitors’ defense stiffened again, however, and Alabama settled for a 27-yard field goal by Tabor to take a 13-0 lead late in the 3rd period.
Keyshawn Lawrence, who was named the Mississippi game MVP, tightened the game midway in the fourth quarter with a 94-yard fumble return to cut the Alabama lead to 13-7. He finished with a game-high 12 tackles.
Alabama answered with Lewis making a spectacular grab of Crowder’s 11-yard pass and then tight-rope walking the end zone line for his second TD. He finished with four catches for 57 yards.
Alabama dominated the game with 19 first downs and controlled the ball for 28 minutes of the 48 minute game. Crowder finished 9-of-12 passing for 152 yards and two TDs. Trey Higgins of Oxford was 6-of-9 for 95 yards as Alabama finished 15-of-21 overall for 247 yards.