Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Chilton County High School’s Demarcus Riddick and Marvin Morton were both selected to play and coach, respectively, in the 2024 All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 6. The class of 2024 Auburn University commit will play in the 24th installment of the game that features 100 of the top high school football players in the country, and put his final pen stroke to his high school football career.

“This is something I have dreamed about a long time ago, and just seeing guys who are playing in the NFL play in the game, and I always hoped that would be me one day,” Riddick said. “To be able to play in this game is really good, especially with the coach that has been coaching me all four years, and it is going to be one of the best experiences I will ever have.”

Riddick was presented with his jersey for the game on Nov. 30 alongside his family, coaches and senior football players at CCHS. His announcement to play in the game will be a part of the docuseries “Road to the Dome,” released on various digital and social platforms across NBC Sports.

Riddick is graduating from CCHS early this winter and will be leaving for Auburn on Dec. 16 to begin preparing for his freshman year on the football field and in the classroom. Morton said after watching Riddick grow from his freshman to senior year, he has no doubts that he will have success at Auburn. The early enrollment he believes will also allow him to get hands-on experience right away that will continue to make him better.

Morton was contacted by Buford High School head coach Bryant Appling from Georgia, who is the head coach of the East team in the All-American Bowl, to coach linebackers on his staff due to his defensive coaching background. Morton jumped at the opportunity to have one more time to coach Riddick before his journey on the plains begins.

“I am very, very honored to be able to coach in this game and with other great coaches from across the nation,” Morton said. “I am very proud of Demarcus and thankful I get to coach him one more time, especially on this stage where he can showcase his talents and compete against other great players in the nation. I am very, very thankful for this opportunity.”

The All-American Bowl was formerly known as the U.S. Army All-American Game from 2000-2018, but it is now sponsored by American Family Insurance. Some of the notable alumni who have played in the game include the likes of Andrew Luck, Adrian Peterson, Odell Beckham Jr., C.J. Mosley and Chase Young. The game overall has featured 17 Heisman Trophy finalists and over 450 NFL players in its history.

“This is a dream come true, and I am ready for it,” Riddick said. “I am ready to go down there and compete with bigger guys … I am ready to see how I do down there at Auburn.”

Riddick was also named a semifinalist for the 2023 High School Butkus Award, given to the nation’s most impactful linebacker at the high school level.

The 2024 All-American Bowl will be broadcasted live on Jan. 6 on NBC and Peacock streaming service.