[6/17/04]In 10 days, Michael Head will begin his career as a college soccer player. Before he does that, though, he has a little bit of unfinished business.

Head, the former St. Aloysius star who set the Warren County boys’ career scoring record, will represent the Flashes for the final time Saturday in the Mississippi Association of Coaches all-star game.

“It’s just another game. I’m just trying to have fun,” said Head, who will also play with and against a half-dozen members of his Jackson Futbol Club team. “It’ll make it a little more fun. I’ll have a bunch of people I know.”

Head will be joined on the South team by Warren Central’s Allen Carlisle, while WC’s Valera Vollor will play in the girls’ game. Vicksburg High’s Brandi Parker, the state’s all-time leading scorer, was selected to the game but dropped out because of an injury.

Both all-star games will be played at Hinds Community College in Raymond, with the girls’ contest starting at 5 p.m. and the boys at 7. Admission to both games is $5.

For Head, the all-star game will be his last in Mississippi. He reports to the Virginia Military Institute for summer classes on June 28, and will play soccer for the Keydets in the fall.

He leaves behind an impressive resum in Warren County. He finished his high school career with 108 goals, obliterating the old record of 75 set by Warren Central’s Chad Monsour. In five years as a starter, he helped St. Al to two state semifinals and established it as one of the top Class 1A programs in the state.

“I think I set a precedent for others, with the numbers,” said Head, who scored 13 goals last season. “(The record) was pretty important. It was something my dad wanted me to do, so it was my goal to get it.”

Head’s new goal is to earn playing time next season at VMI. The Division I school went 4-14 in 2003, losing in the first round of the Big South Conference Tournament, and Head was hopeful that he could break into the starting lineup this fall.

“I’m a little nervous,” he said. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to keep up with the college pace. But I think I’ll manage well.”