Jim Rogers feels confident that his North squad is prepared to take on the speedy South team in tonight's North-South All-Star Football Classic.

But he also knows that in all his years at Cameron, the small school at the base of the Northern Panhandle, he never had to face anything like he has prepared for this week.

"Don't take this out of context, but in my experience, the South's got more speed than a drug cartel," Rogers said. "That does concern us. One thing you can't practice against is speed, and that's on our mind. They did a great job selecting highly skilled kids who are going on to the next level."

That is the overriding theme for the 55th edition of the North-South game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. at Laidley Field: How will the North be able to overcome all that speed?

The short answer: As best it can.

But Rogers refuses to plead poverty, talent-wise. He feels his North squad has bonded nicely in this week's cram-it-all-in camp, and has an excellent shot at breaking a two-game losing streak. The South leads the all-time series 33-18-3.

"They bust one, it looks like the greyhound track," Rogers said. "I don't know what we're going to do. But we're trying to work these kids, as far as the DBs. You can beat a horse to death talking about that stuff all the time. Bringing kids in who want to play this game, which we did, and using them to their abilities the best we can - and they're good kids. They've been playing football for four years. They understand what's going on here.

"Let's talk about what you're going to have to do, what your responsibilities are. You go out there and give 100 percent and we'll let the chips fall."

If the North is to win, it will likely take a heroic effort on the defensive side. That starts up front, with Travis Bunner of Parkersburg, Jason Huffman of Buckhannon-Upshur and Lee Yost from University rotating at tackle. The starting ends are Sean Marion of Bridgeport and Cory Hart of Williamstown.

Rogers has been especially impressed with Huffman and Hart, off-the-radar types with a lot of heart. Being from a small school himself, Rogers has a soft spot for Hart.

"He loves football," Rogers said. "He's a coachable kid, and I think you're going to hear his name called several times."

The linebackers include Wheeling Central's Josh Contraguerro, who is planning to walk on at West Virginia, and Scott Stump from Martinsburg. The defensive backs, who stand to get the most scrutiny, include Keith Currence of Tygarts Valley, Sherman Royster of Grafton and Matt Griffin of Liberty Harrison.

Griffin is going to Fairmont State as a running back, but is playing at cornerback tonight.

"They may pick on him because of his height [5-foot-7]," Rogers said. "We're thinking that, so we'll see if we can't roll over the top and help him out with that."

Assistant coach Mark Batton, from Magnolia, has installed a balanced offense, led by probable starting quarterback Dustin Peters of Martinsburg. Shane Lantz of John Marshall should also see action.

Jim Rogers feels confident that his North squad is prepared to take on the speedy South team in tonight's North-South All-Star Football Classic.

But he also knows that in all his years at Cameron, the small school at the base of the Northern Panhandle, he never had to face anything like he has prepared for this week.

"Don't take this out of context, but in my experience, the South's got more speed than a drug cartel," Rogers said. "That does concern us. One thing you can't practice against is speed, and that's on our mind. They did a great job selecting highly skilled kids who are going on to the next level."

That is the overriding theme for the 55th edition of the North-South game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. at Laidley Field: How will the North be able to overcome all that speed?

The short answer: As best it can.

But Rogers refuses to plead poverty, talent-wise. He feels his North squad has bonded nicely in this week's cram-it-all-in camp, and has an excellent shot at breaking a two-game losing streak. The South leads the all-time series 33-18-3.

"They bust one, it looks like the greyhound track," Rogers said. "I don't know what we're going to do. But we're trying to work these kids, as far as the DBs. You can beat a horse to death talking about that stuff all the time. Bringing kids in who want to play this game, which we did, and using them to their abilities the best we can - and they're good kids. They've been playing football for four years. They understand what's going on here.

"Let's talk about what you're going to have to do, what your responsibilities are. You go out there and give 100 percent and we'll let the chips fall."

If the North is to win, it will likely take a heroic effort on the defensive side. That starts up front, with Travis Bunner of Parkersburg, Jason Huffman of Buckhannon-Upshur and Lee Yost from University rotating at tackle. The starting ends are Sean Marion of Bridgeport and Cory Hart of Williamstown.

Rogers has been especially impressed with Huffman and Hart, off-the-radar types with a lot of heart. Being from a small school himself, Rogers has a soft spot for Hart.

"He loves football," Rogers said. "He's a coachable kid, and I think you're going to hear his name called several times."

The linebackers include Wheeling Central's Josh Contraguerro, who is planning to walk on at West Virginia, and Scott Stump from Martinsburg. The defensive backs, who stand to get the most scrutiny, include Keith Currence of Tygarts Valley, Sherman Royster of Grafton and Matt Griffin of Liberty Harrison.

Griffin is going to Fairmont State as a running back, but is playing at cornerback tonight.

"They may pick on him because of his height [5-foot-7]," Rogers said. "We're thinking that, so we'll see if we can't roll over the top and help him out with that."

Assistant coach Mark Batton, from Magnolia, has installed a balanced offense, led by probable starting quarterback Dustin Peters of Martinsburg. Shane Lantz of John Marshall should also see action.

The tailbacks will include Chris Martin of Wheeling Central, Cody Hess of Berkeley Springs and Jacob Lohri of Tyler Consolidated, with Robert C. Byrd's Cameron Daniels and Ripley's Logan Martin at fullback.

The receivers will include Jacob Carnahan of John Marshall, Jordan Griffin of RCB, Chad Shade of University and Dave Richmond of Bishop Donahue, who has shown sure hands this week.

"And they've got speed, too," said Steve Stoffel Sr., the South's coach. "Don't let them fool you. They've got speed, I promise. We're not the only ones with speed."

Yes, but the South's speed is better known. That begins with sprint champion Marquel Ali of Woodrow Wilson, who will start the night behind Wayne's Justin Gilkerson at running back but may not sit very long.

Mount View's Cordero High could get some carries, as could South Charleston's Deion Spurlock. Then again, Spurlock could just as well be split out, or even take a snap at quarterback.

Michael Scott of Nitro is the projected South starter at quarterback, with Buffalo's Nick Harris also available. The stable of wide receivers is so deep, Stoffel simply can't use them all. Several pass-catchers will be concentrating on defense tonight.

It's safe to say Scott will look for fellow Wildcat Marcos Valentine. But there are other options, such as Bluefield's Ansel Ponder, Spurlock, the George Washington duo of Zach Rosencrance and Beau Wilson, Riverside's Chuckie Erby and others.

"We've got two quarterbacks who can play," Stoffel said. "They're both quality kids. Spurlock [who played QB as a senior] is another one of those guys we like to have the ball in his hands. He's taken a few snaps in practice. He's our swing guy - quarterback, receiver and running back. He's also a corner. He can do a lot of things. We've got kids playing multiple positions so we make sure we have backups.''

Admission is $8. The seven-man charter class of the North-South Hall of Fame will be on hand to sign autographs, led by WVU great Sam Huff, Stonewall Jackson standout Walter Easley, former South Charleston phenom Robert Alexander and ex-Marshall receiver Mike Barber. Fred Wyant, the former WVU quarterback and longtime NFL official, will handle the coin toss.

The period just after the coin toss likely will set the tone for the rest of the game. While the North isn't about to concede an underdog role, it knows a strong start is mandatory.

"I don't think we can get down a couple of touchdowns and play catch-up with that outfit," Rogers said. "It's like a thoroughbred and a plowhorse; it's not going to work."

Reach Doug Smock at 348-5130

or dougsm...@wvgazette.com.