Hanceville’s Dant’e Reese fights for yardage through the arm tackle of a Good Hope defender in this year's season finale. The senior's late 11-yard TD tote and subsequent 2-point conversion proved to be the difference in the Dawgs' 22-21 triumph.

Dant’e Reese didn’t think too much about the buzz of his phone.

The Hanceville senior athlete was simply hanging out in his living room when he heard the all too familiar sound of his iPhone indicating one of an endless number of social possibilities.

New text message? Twitter retweet? Snapchat alert?

None of the above.

Instead, it was an email.

“When I got it, I looked at it and was like, ‘Huh?'” Reese said. “But after I figured out what it was, I got really excited. It’s still hard to believe right now.”

Confusion quickly turned into elation when Reese realized the email was an invite to participate in this year’s Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

The star-studded event — which runs from Dec. 30 to Jan. 4 — recently expanded from a simple game to a weeklong outing that includes myriad football activities like coaching clinics, mock combines, conventions, one-on-ones and tournaments.

Scouts from Rivals, Scout and 247 Sports will be on hand to watch Reese — as well as Cullman’s Daniel Hunter and several other athletes — strut their stuff for a chance to extend their playing days well beyond the Cullman County landscape.

“It’s a thrill when you think about it,” Reese said. “There have been a lot of impact players in this game. It’s a huge deal and a great opportunity. I’m really grateful to be a part of it. Not everyone gets a chance like this.”

Some of those “impact players” include former Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, as well as NFL stalwarts Ray Lewis, Dez Bryant and Percy Harvin — just to name a few.

As for Reese, he made his own waves for the Bulldogs this fall.

He rushed for 1,197 yards and 10 touchdowns on 167 carries after spending his first three seasons at wide receiver, while contributing to the defense with 102 tackles — 10 for loss — two sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

Danny Miller has had ample time to watch Reese in a Purple and Gold uniform during his time atop the Hanceville program.

Suffice to say, the longtime football coach is going to have a difficult time in trying to replace him in 2015.

“He stepped up to the plate this year,” Miller said. “We were pleased with how he came out as a leader. Not to say that he hasn’t in the past, but he really embraced that role this season. He’s a good kid, has good academics and is one of the really all-around quality people you want on your team.”

The two-way Dawg shone brightest in his team’s two wins against county-rivals Holly Pond and Good Hope. He ran for 163 yards and two scores during his final home game in a 27-7 decision over the Broncos. He saved perhaps his best for last in Hanceville’s wild 22-21 triumph over the Raiders, scoring the game’s final TD on an 11-yard run before giving the Purple and Gold the lead on a spectacular two-point conversion shortly after.

Reese mentioned he was “real anxious” to get down to Florida and see how he stacks up against some of the best competition in the country. With some looks from UNA, South Alabama, Alabama State and West Alabama, Miller hopes the event will only pique more programs’ interest in Reese moving forward.

“It’s a good opportunity for him to get some exposure,” the coach said. “Anytime a kid gets a chance like this, it a good thing. We’re awfully proud of him.”

Until then, Reese will continue to “play basketball” and “run routes” to keep sharp over the next three weeks.

“I can’t wait to get down there,” he said.