As area high school football players prepare to play among other All-Stars, two MSCS coaches are building and refining their playbook as well. AutoZone Liberty Bowl recently announced Ed Kuykendoll, head coach at Sheffield High School, along with Bolton High School’s CJ Marshall as coaches for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl All Star High School Game.

Kuykendoll, affectionately known by his colleagues and students as “Coach K,” is a three-time Coach of the Year honoree by the organization and has previously served as an assistant coach in the game. He is currently in his seventh season as a head coach and served at Oakhaven High School before transferring to Sheffield in 2019.

“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game gives the fans an opportunity to see local talent they may not have seen,” said Kuykendoll in a recent interview with AutoZone Liberty Bowl. He’s been vocal about his passion to develop talent on the football field and has built a culture of success for the program and is excited about the talent that Memphis and Shelby County students and coaches will display.

“With the great exposure the All-Star Game has created over the past twenty years, there has been an increase in the appreciation and recognition for the amount of excellent overall talent that the Memphis area has at all levels.”

Kuykendoll has selected his staff, including Melrose High School’s Gerald Morrow, and will coach the Red Team. Marshall, the head coach at Bolton High School, will coach the Blue Team. The All-Star teams will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of area head coaches and other football analysts. Each player must have the recommendation of his head coach and will be selected on the basis of his character, on-field achievement and classroom performance. The game is scheduled for Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Memphis University School.