With both being from Northeast Mississippi and finding themselves among 498 other high school juniors in San Antonio, Texas, it was only fitting for Maikhail Miller of Itawamba AHS and Tupelo’s P.J. Jones to hang out together.

The two high school juniors spent the past three days showcasing their talents at the U.S. Army National Combine, a football combine that essentially serves as an advanced tryout for the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl for high school seniors.

Miller, a quarterback, and Jones, a defensive end, will be vying for a spot on the 2011 U.S. Army All-American East team. Nearly 100 players are selected every year from the combine to play in the next year’s All-American Bowl .

Nicholas Redmond of Harrison Central High School (Gulfport) and Ben Stevens of West Jones High School (Laurel) were the only other players from Mississippi selected for this year’s combine.

Olive Branch offensive tackles Shon Coleman and Damien Robinson and Hollandale Simmons’ defensive end Carlos Thompson were selected to play in this year’s All-American Bowl.

“I met him the first day,” Miller said of Jones, who lined up to rush him in a September regular-season game between IAHS and Tupelo. “We went out to get something to eat on Thursday night.”

‘On the same level’

As far as who stood out among the quarterbacks at the combine, Miller said he didn’t think anyone was really head and shoulders above the other.

“I thought I was on the same level as them,” said the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Itawamba quarterback. “No one really stood out.”

Miller’s high school coach, Jamie Mitchell, thought he was just as talented as every other quarterback at the combine.

“He had a good workout,” Mitchell said. “He certainly looked like he fit the part. He didn’t look out of place in any stretch.

“However, it’s a big disadvantage for quarterbacks to throw routes to guys they’ve never thrown to in their life. I thought he did really well, though. There were probably a few throws he wished to have back.”

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Jones was limited much of this season with a high ankle sprain. Despite that injury, the Tupelo High football program knows full well how much of a force he can be when he’s out there playing.

“He was a team captain this past season as a junior,” said Tupelo High Football Boosters Club President Morris Miley, who accompanied Jones to San Antonio. “That showed a lot.

“I think he’s a special kid. If he stays healthy next year, he’s going to be a terror.”

Contact John Wilbert at 678-1572 or john.wilbert@djournal.com.