Rickie King has dominated for the Warren County Middle School football team. Now, he will have the chance to show he belongs among the best players in the state of Tennessee.
King was selected to play for Team Tennessee in the annual Tennessee vs. Kentucky All-Star game Saturday, June 16.
King made the 50-player roster out of over 200 players who tried out across the state, including 82 when King attended a tryout in Nashville.
Despite shining on offense for the 7-3 WCMS Pioneers this season, King was picked to play defensive back in the All-Star game.
Greg Cotten, who coached King during his time at Warren County Middle School, believes King’s athleticism will make him a key contributor to the roster.
“The Tennessee coaching staff was really impressed with Rickie’s athleticism,” said Cotten. “Rickie is a very talented and gifted athlete who loves the game. He’s a competitor and I think it will give him an advantage going into camp.”
King had several big games for the Pioneers last fall. In his final game at Warren County Middle School, King scored three times to help the Pioneers defeat Smith County in the Quarterback Club Bowl.
For the season, King had six scores on the ground and six more touchdowns through the air. Six of King’s 12 touchdowns covered 50 yards or more.
The dynamic running back will have to shift his focus to defense in June though.
King will report to camp in Kentucky June 13 for three days of training before the big game. During his time in Kentucky, King will work with some of the top coaches from the state of Tennessee.
Coach Cotten knows what King should expect when attending camp in June. Cotten was an assistant coach on Team Tennessee two years ago when Ethan Turner attended.
For two players to be selected in a three-year span shows coach Cotten the growth of the Warren County Middle School football program.
“To make an All-Star team that draws from talent across the state is a great honor,” said Cotten. “Warren County has had two make the roster in the past three years, which I feel shows the athletes this community has to offer.”