Vikings' Sterling Bailey honored as Army All-American

GAINESVILLE -- The gym at East Hall High School was filled Thursday afternoon in honor of a member of the school's football team.

Defensive End Sterling Bailey is one of 90 players in the nation picked for the U.S. Army's All-American Bowl team. It was an honor shared by teammates, classmates, fans and family, as Bailey donned a black-and-gold Army jersey and cap and was named amongst those who will play in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 8 in a nationally televised game.

“I’m going to be very excited,” Bailey said. “I know I’m going up against the best of the best, the top in my class.”

The Bowl Selection Committee selects 400 nominees from millions of high school football players and whittles the number to 90 Army All-Americans that will play in the annual East-West showdown in San Antonio.

East Hall head football coach Bryan Gray said Thursday ceremony was the culmination of an acknowledgment he knew Bailey had worked for and it reflected well on all of East Hall athletics.

“It’s a wonderful honor,” Gray said. “It shows the commitment that if kids put the time and the effort in and if you want to achieve it you can. This was always a goal of Sterling’s and we’re very proud of him being the first one from Hall County coming from East Hall.”

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Baile has committed to play on the next level for the University of Georgia.

“When I get there I’m going to try and help out the team and push myself,” Bailey said.

Sterling's father, Kevin Bailey, was pinching himself on Thursday.

“It’s something you see on TV, you never know it’s going to happen to you in person,” Kevin Bailey said. “I give thanks to God because he did it all and I just thank God for giving him the talent to be able to do this.”