Northside Senior Lineman Malone Suits Up For Blue-Grey Game

SAMANTHA, AL — Northside High School senior offensive lineman Joe Malone made school history on Monday, becoming the first Rams standout to play in the prestigious Blue-Grey All-American Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington — home to the Dallas Cowboys.

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"The experience of the Blue versus Grey All-American game was an awesome experience to meet new coaches and players and to be able to play against some of the best around the nation was awesome," Malone told Patch on Tuesday. "It helps me as a player for the next level. It’s awesome to be able to represent my hometown and show what Tuscaloosa is about, but more amazing to represent my school with the support I get from my school, players and coaches."

Malone played in the third and final round of competition, as other all-star showdowns against East and West teams were also held Dec. 14, 2020 and Jan. 25 in Arlington. The annual showcase of high school football talent has produced numerous notable alumni, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — a member of the Class of 2014.

Malone was instrumental in the Rams' recent and unprecedented success, being a part of two teams to make it to the Class 4A quarterfinals, as Northside finished the 2020 season 10-3 with a road loss to Etowah.

For Malone, listed at an imposing 6-foot-3 and weighing 290 pounds, the honor of playing in his most-recent all-star game is far from his first. During his senior season, Malone was also chosen for the AHSAA All-Star game and named an Under Armour Elite All-American, among a slew of other accolades. He is also the younger brother of former Northside standout Preston Malone, who went on to be the first NHS football alum to wear the Crimson and White as he continued his career as a preferred walk-on linebacker for coach Nick Saban at the University of Alabama.

Northside head football coach Chris Hilliker had high praise for his star lineman, pointing out that he started at center as a sophomore before moving to tackle the last two seasons. Malone also saw spot duty on the defensive line over the last two seasons, along with serving as long snapper.

During his senior season, Malone logged more than 60 pancake blocks in a bruising 2020 campaign to clear the way for a potent Rams offense that shattered records with blistering frequency.

"Very proud of Joe," Hilliker told Patch on Tuesday. "He has been a leader for us. He has represented Northside well. We will miss him but his future is bright. Hopefully someone will realize it and give him an opportunity to continue his playing career."

While Malone does not currently have any offers in hand, with his coach citing the impact had on high school recruiting by the coronavirus pandemic, they are both hopeful he will be able to take his skills to the next level.

"I do plan to go to college for football but still looking for a school that fits me and wants me to come and play for them," Malone said.

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