Pepperell High's Dakota Ball on ESPN tonight

Media release: Dakota Ball, a senior defensive lineman for Pepperell High School, could play the first of many games in the national spotlight tonight as he participates in the Under Armor All-America game that will be nationally televised at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.  Ball is the first player from Floyd County to be invited to participate in the game played in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Ball had another stellar season playing for the Pepperell Dragons in 2011.  He compiled 85 tackles, seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 38 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles for the season.  He was recently named to the first Team defense on the GSWA All-State Team and he was selected as the Rome News Tribune Defensive Co-Player of the Year.  Ball has spent this week in Orlando practicing with some of the top players from across the country.  In the game tonight, he will be the starting defensive tackle on the white jersey team wearing his familiar number 44. 

This will be the first of many opportunities to play in the national spotlight as Ball has committed to play football at the University of Alabama next year.