Jones gets an all-star invitation for Classic

~ The senior will play in the Magnolia Gridiron Classic on Dec. 23.

An already good week for Southeast Missouri State senior defensive end Edgar Jones got even better Friday.

Two days after being named to The Associated Press Division I-AA All-America first team, Jones was invited to play in the second annual Magnolia Gridiron Classic, set for 11 a.m. Dec. 23 in Jackson, Miss.

The all-star game is geared toward college players whose teams were not invited to postseason competition but have the potential to make it into the National Football League.

The game will feature Division I-A players on one team and Division I-AA players on another team, with players from Division II and NAIA schools filling out the final roster spots.

"It's an honor and a privilege being selected to play in this game," Jones said in a news release. "It gives I-AA players a chance to show what they've got against Division I competition."

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones, from Rayville, La., led the nation in quarterback sacks and ranked fourth nationally in tackles for loss.

Jones finished the season with 12 sacks, despite missing one game due to an injury. He had 18 tackles for 103 yards in losses, while his sacks accounted for 88 yards in losses. He also was credited with two quarterback hurries, two passes broken up and one forced fumble.

Jones is one of three players from Ohio Valley Conference schools invited to the Magnolia Gridiron Classic, joining linebacker Markeseo Jackson and cornerback Rayvon Sims from OVC regular-season champion Tennessee-Martin.

Players will report to Jackson, Miss., on Sunday for daily practices and NFL evaluations.

Simonhoff honored again

Southeast senior punter David Simonhoff, after making AP second-team All-American on Wednesday, was on Friday named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American team.

Simonhoff, who has made at least one All-America squad in each of the past three seasons, averaged 44.8 yards per punt this year to lead the OVC and rank second nationally.

Simonhoff was one of 25 players picked for the I-AA portion of the Walter Camp All-American squad, which features only an overall team and does not break things down into first or second teams. He was the only selection from the OVC.