The Natchez Wallace 11-12 All-Stars are something special. It would have really been great if Natchez could have also hosted the 11-12 state tournament (that’s easy for me to say).

But this team would have packed them into tiny Duncan Park because they are a special group.

They have pitching, power, speed and defense.

And head coach David New Jr., knows how to push the right buttons at the right time.

Watch out Marshall, Texas, the Big Red Machine is headed your way.

— Janice Davis has her future ahead of her.

I can’t remember who made that quote famous, but the point is that Davis is headed for great things.

The 15-year-old Natchez junior performed well at the USA-Canadian Track Meet in Canada last month, winning the 400-meter dash on her first night and finishing second later in the week.

Janice’s mother was telling me how when she was sitting in the stands during a Junior Olympic event in Denton, Texas how people in the stands were making fun of Mississippi when her daughter was introduced to the crowd, wondering how somebody from Mississippi could make it to such a prestigious event.

After Davis finished ahead of several college performers, the joking stopped.

Davis also finished second in the 400-meters at the USA&160;Nationals in Buffalo, N.Y.

If half of the athletes in Natchez had the desire, heart, work ethic and discipline that Davis has shown since she was five years old, then we would be recognizing more Natchez athletes nationally.

— I think Dennis Miller will be a great asset to Monday Night Football. But don’t go by his debut last week.

Miller seemed to have all of his material written and ready weeks before the San Francisco-New England preseason contest.

He was understandbly nervous.

I would like to see him speak a little louder. At times it was hard for me to figure out if Miller or the soft-spoken Dan Fouts was talking.

But once he relaxes and is able to go with the flow, Miller will definitely be entertaining.

He’s no Dandy Don Meredith, but then again there never will be anyone that entertaining on Monday night again.

— Did you happen to catch the NFL All-Time team?

It’s certainly easier to name players who should be on the team than picking the team, but I thought did a good job.

I think I would have picked former Green Bay linebacker Ray Nitchske over Lawrence Taylor, however.

And I’m not so sure about Johnny Unitas as your top quarterback, although he’s certainly in the top three.

Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana come to mind and there are certainly others.

— Did you catch the Hall of Fame ceremonies where it looked like half of the members were going to pass out listening to speeches?

I enjoyed Dave Wilcox’s speech the most. Dave still thanked everyone in the world, but he also had humorous stories and added a few jabs along the way.

And did you catch the shot of Howie Long’s family? One of his two sons was wearing an LSU cap. Maybe someone should inform Nick Saban.

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.