Russellville head football coach John Ritter has been selected to be a member of the coaching staff for the 63rd annual North-South All-Star Classic.

The game, which is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 7 p.m., will be held in Mobile at Hancock Whitney Stadium, the home of the University of South Alabama Jaguars.

This will be Ritter’s second time participating in the All-Star event as a coach.

Richie Busby of Helena High School will be the head coach of the North squad, and Jim Bob Striplin of Geneva County will lead the South team. Joining Busby and Ritter on the North staff will be Phil Phillips of Oneonta, Kelvis White of Bob Jones, Wade Waldrop of Florence, Scotty Martin of Ohatchee and Bruce Breland of Victory Christian.

“It’s a testament to our coaching staff, and it’s a testament to our kids about how we have put a good product on the field,” Ritter said. “Coach Busby has heard about the way we do things and wanted me to be a part of that staff, and it’s very humbling.”

The Russellville football program will gain positive exposure with Ritter being involved with the event.

“The good part about coaching in it is that we’ll have a player or two able to play in it. We’ve got some guys that will be very deserving, and anytime that you can represent Russellville on a state level, that’s a big deal,” Ritter said.

The 2020 game, won by the South by a 28-20 final score, was the first held at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. Other locations for the contest since 1948 include Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Montgomery, Troy and Huntsville.