Jes Shivers was sitting in a classroom late Tuesday morning when his coach, John Weaver, walked in and told him to pack up his stuff.

Not long after, the two of them were in a car racing to Brandon. And a few hours later, the Tallulah Academy quarterback was in Clinton. Just like that, Shivers’ status as an alternate for the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools all-star game had changed. Another player dropped out and he was on the active roster.

“He found out at 10:45 (Tuesday) morning,” Tallulah coach John Weaver said. “That’s a nice Tuesday morning wake-up call.”

Shivers is one of four Vicksburg-area players participating in the game. He’ll join teammate Tandon Baker, a defensive end; Briarfield quarterback Jacob Hopkins; and Porters Chapel tight end Reed Gordon on the South team. PCA coach Bill Fleming will serve as an assistant coach, and PCA’s cheerleaders will be on the sideline.

Hopkins ran for 1,285 yards and 20 touchdowns, and threw for 385 yards and five TDs.

Shivers was also a running and passing threat. He threw for 852 yards, ran for 654 more, and accounted for 15 total touchdowns this season. Baker had 98 tackles and 14 sacks. Together, Shivers and Baker helped a Tallulah team that was 1-9 in 2007 reach the Class A playoffs for the second consecutive season.

“Everything,” Weaver said when asked what the two seniors meant to the program. “Without (Shivers), our team doesn’t go to the playoffs. Tandon epitomized what our defense is about — hard work, dedication, a never say die attitude. When times got tough, Tandon was the guy to make the play.”

Gordon also made his share of plays for PCA over the past two seasons. He caught 39 passes total in 2008 and 2009, helping the Eagles reach the playoffs both years. He’s also become a coveted tight end prospect, drawing recruiting interest from Rice, Mississippi State, Central Arkansas and several other Division I programs.

Gordon said the all-star game is a chance to show college coaches what he can do against top competition.

“A good many recruiters are coming. If you perform well, they’ll like it,” Gordon said.

Although there is a certain pressure to perform in the all-star game, Gordon added that he was trying to take in the experience and enjoy it. Unlike some of his all-star teammates, this won’t be his last game. It will, however, be his last high school game and he doesn’t want to let that slip away quietly.

“It is going to be my last high school game, so I want to enjoy it and have fun. But there is a certain pressure to do well in front of coaches,” Gordon said.

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Contact Ernest Bowker at ebowker@vicksburgpost.com