JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Our nation’s top high school football talent will go head to head at EverBank Field Saturday for the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl game.
It’s the first time the game is played in Jacksonville bringing yet another sporting event to the area that is sure put the spotlight on Jacksonville.
Friday afternoon the players were seen warming up on the Jaguars' practice field.
Jamauri Wakefield, who is a senior running back at Providence School of Jacksonville, said he was excited to learn he was chosen to play.
“It's important because it allows me to match myself up against other talent. This is not like you're playing backyard ball -- you're playing with other people who are probably the best in their school,” said Wakefield.
The players were chosen out of 8,000 recruits nationwide to play in Saturday’s game at EverBank Field where players from the north will battle against the south.
“I was honored to be chosen with all these great athletes here in Jacksonville and all over the country,” said Will Mitchell, senior running back at Bolles.
And important eyes will be on them as college scouts will be watching from the stands. While Wakefield and Mitchell have already committed to colleges, many fellow players haven’t. Their performance Saturday could secure them a college scholarship.
“No better opportunity or venue to have the chance to be seen by college scouts,” said game Director of Operations, Sean Ceglinsky.
Ceglinsky said this year they specifically chose Jacksonville for the game.
“We will be back this time next year and doing it again with the class of 2017, (we're) looking to build a nice long relationship,” said Ceglinsky.
Since October Jacksonville has seen sports fans from other parts of the country flock to EverBank Field with the Florida-Georgia game and the TaxSlayer Bowl.
One player for the Blue-Grey game came all the way from Hawaii. Many who are on the blue team for the north are far from home but their families are also in town for the big game.
“It's nice to be able to come and give back to the community when they've given back so much to us already in our first year here,” said Ceglinsky.
Game starts at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information visit the Blue-Grey game's website.