When his coaches pulled him aside after practice, George Owens wasn’t quite sure what to think. He certainly wasn’t expecting the news they gave him that he had been selected to play in the Bernard Blackwell Mississippi All-Star Football Game.

“I was worrying about the season and wasn’t thinking about it. When he told me I was smiling. I thought he was playing with me,” said Owens, a three-year starter on Warren Central’s offensive line. “It’s a real big honor. I didn’t know I was going to make it. I was so happy when they told me. I wasn’t expecting it. It was a real big surprise.”

The Bernard Blackwell game is scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Gulfport High School. It will be streamed online live at FNUTL.com.

Although Owens was surprised to be picked for the game, it’s no shock that he’s being recognized as one of the best players in Mississippi. The right guard started every game for the past three seasons and often served as a lead blocker in Warren Central’s running game.

Warren Central ran for 8,835 yards and averaged 6.4 yards per carry in Owens’ three seasons as a starter. He also scored one rushing touchdown, on a 2-yard run this season against Greenville.

The all-star game, however, will mark the beginning of a transition for Owens. After 37 games at right guard, he’ll play center on Saturday. He also figures to be a center in college. Owens said the two positions are similar in terms of technique. Both require mobility and an ability to pull, which he has despite his short, stout, 5-foot-9, 400-pound frame.

“I played guard in high school, but I know I can play center,” Owens said. “It’s nothing different. It’s got the same technique. It’s just snapping the ball, that’s it. The steps are all the same. I played center in practice, but not in a game.”

Warren Central coach Josh Morgan had confidence that Owens can handle the new position, and said the versatility of being able to play multiple positions on the line will serve Owens well going forward.

“He can pick up a ball and snap it and be athletic and smart enough to make calls up front. So for coaches to take him at the all-star game based on that, and for him to be able to do that without playing it all year really says a lot too,” Morgan said. “Versatility will definitely help him. It goes back to his unselfishness. He’s a team-first guy who never was playing for a scholarship. It was always about enjoying his time here and competing and playing for Warren Central.”

The all-star game is also more than just a reward for Owens. He hasn’t gotten a lot of attention from college coaches yet as the recruiting season starts to ramp up. That makes the next few days of practice and Saturday’s game a showcase for his skills and a tryout of sorts for college coaches scouting the game.

“It’s real important. It’s going to show my talent to the college coaches,” Owens said. “I’m going to still be pushing and praying until something comes along.”

Morgan, as he has for the past three years, had the utmost confidence in Owens’ ability to get the job done.

“It’s still early” in the recruiting process, Morgan said. “One thing about George, if he was a couple of inches taller people would be all over him. He’s just going to have to fight that battle. I feel like there will be a coach that can see past his height and be willing to give him a shot just like the coaches from the all-star game did.”

BERNARD BLACKWELL ALL-STAR GAME
Saturday, 11:30 a.m., at Gulfport High School
Online: The game will be streamed live at FNUTL.com