Blue-chip WVU football recruit Josh Jenkins has declined an invitation to play in the North-South Football Classic.

Ditto Kennedy Award winner Jordan Roberts.

And Sam Huff is not happy about it.

At all.

Huff, a Farmington native who went on to star at WVU and in the NFL, said on Wednesday he's steamed to learn some of the Mountain State's brightest stars won't participate in the June 21 contest at UC Stadium.

"I don't understand," Huff said. "Why wouldn't you play? Are you afraid of getting hurt? Are you afraid you might not match up?

"If you've got heart, desire and determination, you play. If someone says to you that you might get hurt, tell them to go to hell.''

North-South officials released the rosters for the game Wednesday morning. Roberts, the Kennedy winner from Scott, was not listed. Nor was Jenkins or Kennedy runner-up Matt Lindamood, both of Parkersburg High.

PHS coach Bernie Buttrey was contacted about Jenkins.

"He was just afraid he might get hurt," Buttrey said. "Well, I should say he just chose not to participate. I said, 'Do you want to play?' He said, 'I'd rather not.' "

"He has a right not to play," Huff responded. "I have a right to ask why. Is he afraid to meet someone his own size?"

Roberts, an invited walk-on to WVU's team, called it an "honor'' to be invited.

"But I'm getting ready to play at WVU," he said. "I didn't want to chance it."

Blue-chip WVU football recruit Josh Jenkins has declined an invitation to play in the North-South Football Classic.

Ditto Kennedy Award winner Jordan Roberts.

And Sam Huff is not happy about it.

At all.

Huff, a Farmington native who went on to star at WVU and in the NFL, said on Wednesday he's steamed to learn some of the Mountain State's brightest stars won't participate in the June 21 contest at UC Stadium.

"I don't understand," Huff said. "Why wouldn't you play? Are you afraid of getting hurt? Are you afraid you might not match up?

"If you've got heart, desire and determination, you play. If someone says to you that you might get hurt, tell them to go to hell.''

North-South officials released the rosters for the game Wednesday morning. Roberts, the Kennedy winner from Scott, was not listed. Nor was Jenkins or Kennedy runner-up Matt Lindamood, both of Parkersburg High.

PHS coach Bernie Buttrey was contacted about Jenkins.

"He was just afraid he might get hurt," Buttrey said. "Well, I should say he just chose not to participate. I said, 'Do you want to play?' He said, 'I'd rather not.' "

"He has a right not to play," Huff responded. "I have a right to ask why. Is he afraid to meet someone his own size?"

Roberts, an invited walk-on to WVU's team, called it an "honor'' to be invited.

"But I'm getting ready to play at WVU," he said. "I didn't want to chance it."

"I think it's a big mistake," Huff said. "What are they afraid of? It's one of the best things I ever did - play in the North-South game. I played in a college all-star game. I played in the greatest game ever played [the 1958 NFL championship]. And I never worried about getting hurt.

"The guy that had the ball - like Jim Brown - had to worry about getting hurt."

Huff has taken a special interest in this year's contest because he'll be one of the game's first Hall of Fame inductees, along with Fred Wyant, Walt Easley, Robert Alexander, Mike Barber, Dr. Charles McKown and Kenny Wright.

Huff, a member of both the college and NFL halls of fame, also helped the game land sponsorship. Marriott, of which Huff is a vice president, is the title sponsor.

"I can't remember anything else about 1952 except playing in that North-South game and graduating from Farmington High," Huff said. "I remember the parade in Charleston. I remember staying in the Daniel Boone Hotel. It was the first hotel I'd ever stayed in.

"I remember the stores. You have to remember, I came from a coal camp. That's why I got behind this: to rebuild it.''

Game director Mike Dunlap said backing from Marriott has helped right the financially struggling game. He said others sponsors like AEP, BB&T, BrickStreet, the Town Center, the Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority, Wendy's, Joe Holland and Jack Rossi have also helped.

Among the players who accepted the invitations are Nitro's Mike Scott and Marcos Valentine (No. 3 and 6, respectively in Kennedy voting) as well as South Charleston's Deion Spurlock (No. 4). Nineteen Kanawha Valley players will participate on the South Cardinal team, which will be coached by Steve Stoffel Sr. of Herbert Hoover. Jim Rogers of Cameron will coach the North Bears.

Huff said he simply wants the best to participate.

"Do I get ticked off about [high-profile players declining invitations]? Yeah,'' Huff said. "It's a big mistake. What are you afraid of?

"I think it's a challenge for [Jenkins]. It's probably too late because the rosters are out, but if he decides to play we'll make an exception for him.''

To contact sports editor Mitch Vingle, use e-mail or call 348-4827.