NATCHEZ — The State of Mississippi owes Natchez High defensive back Brian Isaac a thank you.

Isaac represented Mississippi in the inaugural Who’s the Mann Classic Mississippi-Louisiana All-Star game, and a timely interception late in the fourth quarter helped Mississippi pull away with a 7-6 win.

Isaac started at defensive back for Mississippi, and with Louisiana on the Mississippi 40-yard line threatening to score, Isaac’s heroics earned him a Most Valuable Defensive Back award.

“We were rotating between first and second team, and our coach put the first team back in,” Isaac said.

“A teammate of mine tipped the ball, and I caught the interception, which ended the scoring threat.”

Isaac, along with Bulldog players Chris Curtis and Raymond Williams, competed in the All-Star game in order to boost their recruiting profiles to prospective colleges.

“They both played well,” Isaac said of his Natchez teammates. “They were second team, but they got a lot of playing time.”

Isaac, who runs track for Natchez in the spring, said his staying active helped make him ready for the All-Star game despite football ending more than a month ago.

“I want to give a special thanks to (NHS track) coach (Larry) Wesley for helping me stay in good shape,” Isaac said.

Making a big interception late in the game was “amazing,” Isaac said, especially since his team needed him.

“I knew I had to come through in the clutch,” Isaac said. “Louisiana had more talent, and they were bigger than us, but they just weren’t making plays.

“I know this, no one was running on our defense. We had a good defensive line and good linebackers, so their running game was going nowhere. It was a very fast and high-intensity game. Some of the Louisiana players were playing a little dirty.”

Natchez High head football coach Lance Reed made his way to the game to watch Isaac, Curtis and Williams, and Isaac said he was grateful for that.

“He’s one of the most supportive people in my life other than my mom and dad,” he said. “He’s been with me during the ups and downs, and has always tried to help me achieve my goals. It’s been a long four years, but it’s been good.”

Copiah-Lincoln Community College is currently recruiting Isaac, but no scholarship offer has been made.