By Mike Loveday
ESPNRISE.com

In the Maryland Crab Bowl, unlike other All-star football games, there is a Terrance Koen for every Jelani Jenkins. For every Terrence Stephens there is an Arnold Farmer. And for every Derrick Thomas there is a Jeremiah Howe.

Most All-star football games are filled with names like Jenkins (Good Counsel), Thomas (Eleanor Roosevelt) and Stephens (Quince Orchard)  players who have their choice of schools to attend and already may be committed. But the Maryland Crab Bowl is offering lesser-known players, like Koen (Riverdale Baptist), Farmer (Polytechnic) and Howe (Cambridge-S.D.) an opportunity to make their names as big as their brethren on Saturday at Towson University.

"It's real interesting because I get to measure my abilities against people of a high caliber. You got the Quince Orchard dude, Terrence [Stephens]; he's a great defensive tackle. I want to see how I stack up against him, Farmer said.

For seniors Farmer, Koen and Howe this will be the last time colleges get to see them in action and outside of sending highlight film it could be their best chance of making a lasting impression.

Koen was a three-year starter at Riverdale Baptist and helped his team to Christian School National Championship in Dayton, Tenn. Playing both linebacker and running back for Riverdale, Koen recorded 95 tackles and four interceptions on defense while rushing for 510 yards on 69 carries, but it is this final game that will carry more weight than any of those numbers.

"They [college coaches] always ask about his game, Koen said. "They keep saying that they're coming to the Crab Bowl so do well.

More than 70 representatives from Division I-AA, Division II and III schools are expected to be in attendance throughout the three days of practice and Saturday's game.

Baltimore Polytechnic's Farmer has been the talk of every combine he has attended. The lineman put up 38 repetitions on the bench press at the Baltimore Nike Combine this past year and put up 30 repetitions of 160 pounds at the Bullseye Combine his sophomore season.

Now Farmer will get to line up against players such as Stephens, Jason Ankrah (Quince Orchard) and Sean Stanley (Gaithersburg).

For Howe, who was a late addition to the game, the invite came as a surprise.

"I was shocked. I didn't even know anybody knew about anybody from the Eastern Shore, Howe said. "My goal is to go ahead and play hard. I'd like to get some looks  get rotated in and let everybody see what I can do.

Howe scored more than 30 touchdowns for Cambridge-South Dorchester this year and played every offensive position except for the offensive line.

While Jenkins, Stephens and Thomas hold more than 50 offers between them Howe, Farmer and Koen are each looking for their first.

"My mindset is to be serious about this week and do well in practice so all these college coaches can see the ability I have and so that I can get an offer, Koen said.

"It means a lot. It's a good chance for me  to get people to know me, Howe added. "Playing at Towson on turf field. That's what you can dream for.

The Maryland Crab Bowl is in its first year and is the only statewide all-star game. The contest starts at 1 p.m.