Football: THREE CAJUNS TO PLAY IN ALL-STAR BOWLS

Daryl Cetnar, Sports Information –

LAFAYETTE- The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced on Saturday that the list of Cajuns seniors appearing in post-season all-star bowls is now up to three.  Quarterback Jerry Babb has agreed to play in the second annual Magnolia Grid Iron Classic alongside teammate Brandon Cox, who accepted a bid on Nov. 22, and cornerback Michael Adams will play in the new Inta Juice North-South All-Star Classic. 

Seven Cajuns have now accepted a post-season bowl invitation under head coach Rickey Bustle. 

Former Cajuns/current NFL’ers C.C. Brown (Houston Texans), Charles Tillman (Chicago Bears) and Ivan Taylor (Pittsburgh Steelers) all played in the Hula Bowl, while Bill Sampy (Philadelphia Eagles) played in the Inaugural Grid Iron Classic and Las Vegas All-American Classic last season.

            The 2006 Magnolia Grid Iron Classic will be played on December 23 in Jackson, Mississippi at Veterans Memorial Stadium.  Kickoff is scheduled for noon.  

            The game will pit I-A players against I-AA foes.  Former Mississippi State head coach Jackie Sherrill has been named honorary coach of the I-A squad, while former Jackson State head coach W.C. Gorden was announced as the honorary coach of the I-AA squad.

            In future years, the MGIC will be played on Christmas Eve, but due to Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday in 2006, the game was moved up a day to Saturday.  More information can be found at www.magnoliagridironclassic.com.

The Inta Juice North-South All-Star Classic is a brand-new college football postseason all-star game starting in 2007. The game will be held on January 13, 2007 in Houston, Texas at the Galena Park ISD Stadium.

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach was selected as the South team’s head coach, and San Jose State’s Dick Tomey will coach the North. Galena Park ISD has a two-year agreement to host the game.

            The game acquired nutritional juice bar franchise Inta Juice as the title sponsor.

Tickets for the 2007 Inta Juice North-South All-Star Classic can be ordered directly through the Galena Park Athletic Ticket Office by calling 832-386-4330.

Ticket prices are $15 for first-come, first-serve general admission seating, $25 to $35 for reserved seating, and $45 for chair-back seating. Tickets are also available through the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 713-450-3600. Additional ticket outlet locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Jerry, Mike and Brandon were the heart and sole of our senior class – all four year starters,” said Bustle.  “I couldn’t be happier to see them have the chance to follow in the footsteps of some very good Cajuns that have played in post-season bowl games.

“They have what it takes to play at the next level and the (NFL) scouts have shown an interest.”

Following their appearances in the Hula Bowl, Brown was taken by Texans in sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Tillman was selected in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Bears with the third pick of the second round, while Taylor went to the Steelers in the fourth round of the ’03 draft.

After catching a 41-yard touchdown pass in the ’05 Gridiron Classic, Sampy signed as a free agent with Philadelphia immediately following the 2006 NFL Draft.