[8/26/04]While four of the state’s premier high school football teams are clashing on the field, one of country music’s rising stars will entertain off the field.

Chad Simmons, who co-wrote with Garth Brooks the song “Heaven Sent,” is scheduled to sing the national anthem before the second game of Friday night’s Red Carpet Bowl doubleheader.

Simmons also has performed the national anthem at both NFL and Major League Baseball games.

Warren Central High School is scheduled to play Southaven High School at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Host Vicksburg High is scheduled to play Gulfport High School at 8 p.m.

Simmons is scheduled to sing before the Vicksburg game and will sing alongside Miss Mississippi Jalin Wood.

The Red Carpet Bowl is in its 41st year, and the 13th straight year it has featured this format. Before 1992, the RCB was played as a season-ending bowl game and didn’t always include Vicksburg or Warren Central.

Tickets are $7 in advance and can be bought at either VHS, WC or either of the junior highs. In addition, tickets may be purchased at the athletic department office on Mission 66.

Both Southaven and Gulfport will be making their second straight trip to the RCB, played annually on the first week of the regular season.

Last year, Southaven defeated Vicksburg, 33-18, while Warren Central beat Gulfport, 17-7.

“The Red Carpet Bowl is one of the finest deals going,” said Southaven coach Calvin Aldridge, who will lead his team on the nearly 3 1/2-hour bus ride Friday morning. “We had a fantastic trip down last year. The people that put that game on do a first-class operation. They have good sponsorships and the community really gets behind it.”