CLINTON – The move of the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star soccer game from the hot and humid month of June to chilly mid-February got a big thumbs up from five Warren County all-stars.

Two Vicksburg Gators and two Warren Central Vikings teamed up for the North all-stars in the 29th annual game played Saturday night at Clinton High School. Chelsea Duett of Warren Central was the lone county all-star in the girls’ game.

A crisper, faster game was the result of the move to February, just a week after the state championship games. The South team’s Derrick Troutman broke a 2-2 tie in the 73rd minute to give the Reds a 3-2 win over the North Blues. Troutman’s goal on a 1-on-1 breakaway came against Warren Central goalkeeper Jamal Brinnion, who played all 80 minutes. Brinnion had five saves in the game, including one that came just seconds into the game following the kickoff.

“I know it was quick,” Brinnion said. “I thought it was going over but then it dipped on me at the end. I got it.”

The quick start set the pace. Four goals were scored in the first half and the opening goal came from Vicksburg High’s Chucky Hayden in the 15th minute. Hayden had some other dazzling moves in the first half and left an impression on his teammates, including fellow Gator all-star Tony Davidson.

“At halftime we were messing with him because he hadn’t shown that all year,” Davidson said.

Hayden said that Gators’ coach Jason Bennett made the same observation.

“Coach Bennett was saying that,” Hayden said, with a laugh. “I guess I was caught up with the excitement. We all seemed to play with great unity.”

Hayden’s solid play also impressed several scouts, but the senior said he is likely headed to Millsaps College.

“I’m still undecided but I’m leaning toward Millsaps,” Hayden said. “It’s a really good school and they have a program where I want to major in, which is pre-med.”

Davidson, who is headed to Hinds Community College, played all the first half and most of the second on the second line. He was glad the game was played Saturday.

“I was fine with it,” he said. “It was not that cold.”

Warren Central’s Erik Chappell, who played up front late in the first half and most of the second, liked it as well.

“Once you got warmed up, it was good,” Chappell said.