By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two Helena Middle School eighth graders will have the opportunity to compete against some of top talent in the country after being selected to play in the 6^th annual Elite Middle School All-Star game in late November.

Derrick “DJ” Wilson and Jake Julius, who play both offensive and defensive line, will represent Helena Middle School and the state of Alabama by playing in the all-star game set for Saturday, Nov. 24, at Charlotte Christian School located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The all-star game is set to host some of the nations most talented middle school athletes as participants from more than 12 different states will compete in the game.

Wilson serves as the team captain for the HMS football team, manages an A-B average in his academics and has served as a 2018-19 Helena Middle School Ambassador and vice president of the Sigma Beta Club.

Wilson has been playing youth football since the age of 4, and has acquired a passion for the game. He can play any position on the offensive and defensive line skillfully while also specializing as a long snapper.

Wilson has also attended several football camps in the past that include the Nick Saban Football Camp and Camp Lineman to help build his knowledge and skill of the game.

Wilson will graduate with the class of 2023 and plans to major in criminal justice after graduating high school. His top college picks are Alabama, Oregon, Duke, Ohio State and Tennessee.

Julius uses his skillset to make plays on both sides of the ball where this past season he recorded 20 tackles, three sacks, a blocked punt and 10 pancake blocks in three games played.

Julius is also a member of the class of 2023 and will look to gain valuable experience from the all-star game.

The Elite Middle School All-Star Game was established in 2013 by Glen Deveaux.

“Elite Sports Camps has developed a strong relationship with Youth1 to provide exposure for the stellar athletes that attend this event. The athletes learn the importance of not only being great on the field, but off of it as well,” according to Youth1.

Elite Camps boast over 65 Elite alumnus currently playing college athletics, including:

–DeMarkes Stratford–Harvard

–Jamari Currence–James Madison University

–Caleb Deveaux–The Citadel

–Cole Hopkins and Myles Hunt–Jacksonville University

–Austin Price–University of Texas-Permian Basin

–McKinley Nelson-UNC Pembroke

–Sam Howell–FSU Commit

–Garrett Shrader–Mississippi State University Commit

–Wanya Morris–University of Tennessee Commit

–Keiondre Jones–Auburn University Commit

–Osita Ekownu–Notre Dame Commit

–Ari Rodriguez–US Naval Academy Commit

–Brian Jacobs–Davidson College Commit

For more information on the all-star game, visit Elite-sport-camps.com.