CLINTON — When both of his projected quarterbacks became no shows, North All-Star coach Phil Oakley canvassed his team to find out if he had any quarterbacks.

Les Lemons, who last year started at quarterback for the Vicksburg High Gators, raised his hand. Originally listed as a defensive back when he was added to the North roster for Thursday’s 60th annual Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic, Lemons will now be taking the snaps.

If you go

Bernard Blackwell Classic

Thursday, 7 p.m.

Robinson-Hale Stadium, Clinton

Cost: $5

“Les is playing quarterback and he’ll start,” Oakley said during Tuesday afternoon’s practice at Robinson-Hale Stadium, the site of Thursday’s game. It will kickoff at 7 p.m. and tickets are $5. The South All-Stars lead the overall series 26-25-4.

As Vicksburg’s starting quarterback last year, Lemons was an All-County selection and led the club to a 9-3 record and a second-round spot in the Class 4A playoffs. After the season, a debate began among college coaches as to where Lemons might best fit in. Alcorn State offered a full scholarship but then debacle surrounding the firing of first-year coach Ernest T. Jones ensued. Lemons signed with Hinds Community College instead.

“The coaching deal with Alcorn was a big thing,” Lemons said. “I had a full ride, but I felt Hinds was the better option.”

Over the course of the summer, Lemons has found out that new Hinds coach Gene Murphy, will now let him battle for the Eagles’ starting quarterback job when practice opens next month.

“I’ve heard they’re going to move (Wesley) Mounger to receiver and let me have a shot at quarterback,” Lemons said.

Lemons’ shot at being the North’s quarterback came Monday after the players arrived for their first practice.

“They lost a couple of guys. One of the quarterbacks didn’t show up and another one was hurt. Even though they had me listed as a defensive back, they knew I could play quarterback. The best thing about, though, is because they needed to add another player, they went ahead and added my home boy, Trey, today,” Lemons said.

Trey Prentiss, that is. The former Gator two-way starter at safety and wide receiver was working out getting ready for the upcoming season for Hinds.

“I guess they had me on their list and when some guys didn’t show, they called me,” said Prentiss, who showed up for practice Tuesday and will take Lemons’ defensive back role and play special teams. He made 52 tackles and had two interceptions last season for the Gators.

“When the two kids didn’t show up Monday, we had to add some people, and we added Trey and then we had to find a quarterback. The (Harry) Peoples kid had played it some at Winona, but we knew Les had started for Vicksburg. We’ve put in a spread for him. He looks great with the ball in his hands,” Oakley said.

North assistant coach Tavares Johnson, who’s coaching the secondary for the North, didn’t mind losing Lemons to the offense.

“Les is a great athlete. I’m just glad he’s on our team,” Johnson said.

Lemons is elated to have another shot to show what he can do as a quarterback. As a starter, Lemons completed 65 of 138 passes for 804 yards and six touchdowns and he added another 932 yards rushing and six more scores.

“To be the starting quarterback feels real good,” Lemons said. “Being the quarterback comes natural to me. We’re going to run the spread. It’s a mix of a lot of different spreads. I just I can impress all the scouts who come Thursday that I can play quarterback.”

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com