By Mike Loveday

Dunbar head coach Lawrence Smith just called to let me know that a pair of his athletes picked thier college destination this week.

Receiver Sean Farr opted to change his commitment from Akron University to Louisville while lineman Antonio Brown will attend Morgan State.

Farr joins teammate Horace Miller at Louisville. Miller changed his verbal from UNLV after taking an official visit to Louisville last weekend.

This gives Dunbar seven athletes committed to Division I colleges.

Tavon Austin (West Virginia), Miller (Louisville), Davon Muse (Central Michigan), Farr (Louisville), Courtney Bridget (UNLV), Gary Oneukwuski (Temple) and Brown (Morgan State).

Smith said quarterback Jonathan Perry is expected to make his colllege decision on Monday.

Cotton made his choice? This article from the ClarionLedger.com came across my desk this morning. According to the Mississippi newspaper, Cotton knows where he will be spending his next four years, but will not make it public until National Signing Day (Wed. Feb. 4). 

Mike Loveday covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com. Mike can be reached at Michael.Loveday@espn.com

 

By Mike Loveday

Dunbar seems to have an endless list of Division I athletes. The latest commitment for the Poets is linebacker Gary Oneukwuski.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior committed to Temple today, according to head coach Lawrence Smith.

Oneukwuski made his official visit to Temple over the weekend.

Dunbar's Tavon Austin, Davon Muse, Sean Farr, Horace Miller and Courtney Bridget are also committed to colleges.

Other recruiting news and notes

Update: Got this Google update in my inbox this evening. The PilotOnline.com is reporting that Suitland's John Darr committed to Old Dominion.

Riverdale Baptist's Terrence Koen picked up his second offer in as many weeks last week. Koen's latest offer is from Virginia Union University. Koen already held an offer from Division II Fairmont State University.

Also, expect to see an updated Commit List later today. Along with Oneukwuski's commitment, C.H. Flowers linebacker Brandon Killebrew has also chosen a college - Navy. 

Mike Loveday covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com. Mike can be reached at Michael.Loveday@espn.com

 

By Sheldon Shealer

Talk about contrasting scenes Tuesday. While the football community said goodbye to a fallen coach, the state's Offensive Player of the Year said, "Hello" to West Virginia University.

More than 3,000 people attended the funeral forformer Suitland coach and athletic director Nick Lynch, who died in an automobile accident Dec. 31.

Meanwhile, Tavon Austin, who led Dunbar to three state titles and holds the career records for rushing yards, total offense, touchdown and points scored, verbally committed to WVU, which has been expected. He told MDVarsity.com two weeks ago that the possibility of playing alongside WVU's talented Noel Devine was intriguing. 

Now that Austin is off the market, MDVarsity.com will update its list of top five uncommitted running backs. 

By Sheldon Shealer, editor

UPDATE: Consensus All-State Team

The 17th installment of the Consensus All-State football team will be released later today, but there is no drama regarding the Offensive and defensive Players of the Year. In fact, in nearly unanimous voting, Dunbar senior Tavon Austin repeats as the Maryland's Offensive Player of the Year and Good Counsel senior Jelani Jenkins claims the Defensive Player of the Year honors in similar run-away fashion.

Here are the past All-State Players of the Year:

Offensive
2007 - Tavon Austin, Dunbar*
2006 - Joe Haden, Friendly
2005 - Ben Tate, Snow Hill
2004 - Ike Whitaker, Northwest
2003 - Derrick McPhearson, DeMatha
2002 - Ambrose Wooden, Gilman
2001 - Terry Caulley, Patuxent
2000 - Semaj Richardson, Gaithersburg
1999 - Chris Kelly, Seneca Valley
1998 - Chris Kelly, Seneca Valley*
1997 - Walter Cross, Oxon Hill
1996 - Tyree Foreman, Sherwood
1995 - Tyree Foreman, Sherwood*
1994 - Bobby Sabelhaus, McDonogh
1993 - Tori Willis, Cambridge-S.D.
1992 - John seymour, Linganore

Defensive
2007 - Kenny Tate, DeMatha
2006 - Ian Thomas, DeMatha
2005 - Akeem Hebron, Good Counsel
2004 - Navorro Bowman, Suitland*
2003 - Eric Lenz, Urbana
2002 - Victor Abiamiri, Gilman
2001 - Shawne Merriman, Douglass-PG
2000 - Seth Mitchell, Gwynn Park
1999 - Derek Wake, DeMatha
1998 - Darnell Dockett, Paint Branch
1997 - Loui Georgalas, Calvert Hall
1996 - Monte Graves, St. Mary's-AA
1995 - Tommy Polley, Dunbar
1994 - Tommy Polley, Dunbar*
1993 - Troy Fowlkes, North County
1992 - none selected

*-indcates junior

When it comes to running backs, it might be an easy call for the Consensus All-state - well, it is for two players ... Tavon Austin and Michael Campanaro.

Austin was the Baltimore Sun Player of the Year; Campanaro was the Washington Post Player of the Year. It's hard to imagine that they will be anything but unanimous all-state selections.

But who will be the third back? 

In anticipation of the release of this week's All-State ballot (with the All-State teams named next week), we are sharing a preview of the players being considered for the Consensus All-State squad.

More than 25 media members will vote on the Big School and Small School All-State teams. From those first-team selections, the top 30 vote-getters are named to the Consensus All-State squad - the highest honor for Maryland high school football players.

Today, we unveil a list of running backs who are in the running for Consensus All-State and we invite your feedback. This list is not all inclusive. In fact, there are more than 40 running backs in consideration. We have narrowed the field to six for online purposes. Select three from the list below:

Tavon Austin, Dunbar: The state's all-time leading rusher and scorer - and he capped his career with a game-winning two-point conversion run on his final play. Need we say more?

Michael Campanaro, River Hill: Could be All-State as a running back or defensive back. But so far his honors are coming for his offensive numbers - more than 1,800 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns.

Malcolm Crockett, Einstein: The last time a sophomore made Consensus, his last name was Austin! Crockett put up more than 1,500 yards despite not being a fulltime starter this year.

Dawaun Genies, Quince Orchard: This senior stepped up with a 1,400-yard performance when Travis Hawkins was slowed by injury. He kept the Cougars' offense moving forward.

Hakeem Hines, Havre de Grace: Rushed for 1,850 yards while helping his team to one of the great turnaround seasons - going from 5-6 to 11-1.

Caleb Porzel, Good Counsel: The Maryland-bound Porzel is dazzling, but will his 1,152 yards be enough for Consensus honors? Of course, Good Counsel was so loaded, it did not have to rely on Porzel getting tons of carries.

Arlando Scott, North Point: Here is a name to remember for next year. The junior turned in a stellar season leading the new school to an 8-3 record. 

Dino Stevens, North County: The leading rusher is pass-happy Anne Arundel County with 1,555 yards.

* Note - Devon Smith, one of the state's leading rushers, is on the all-state ballot under the "all-around" category to include his special teams performances.

So who would you vote for? Or, is there another person you would consider? Leave your comments below and let us know who you think should make the All-state team.

By Sheldon Shealer and Mike Loveday

BALTIMORE - Going into the final two minutes of the game, the odds were stacked against Dunbar. The Poets trailed 19-13 with 1:56 remaining and quarterback Jonathan Perry had thrown 12 straight incomplete passes. It looked as though Fort Hill would pull the miracle upset.

Dunbar faced a 4-and-8 from their 12-yard line  their season resting in the hands of Perry. But it was his feet that saved them.

Perry scrambled out of the pocket for 13 yards to give Dunbar a fresh set of downs from their 25-yard line. From there he looked like the quarterback who had thrown for those 1,655 yards and 18 touchdowns.
 
With 13 seconds remaining, Dunbar had one final chance from their own 14-yard line. Perry threw to an open Sean Farr, who only had two catches in the game, for the touchdown and to bring Dunbar within one point, 19-18.

"Coach Travis [Blackston], every practice, him and Jonathan they always want to run a two-minute offense. The thing was I told him, that we'd never get the chance to run it, Dunbar head coach Lawrence Smith said after the game. "But it came back today. That's why the lineman knew where to go and it seemed like they'd done it before.
 
Now the only question was to attempt the kick or go for two. With Dunbar missing two extra points earlier there was little doubt where the ball would end up  in the hands of two-time Maryland Offensive Player of the Year, Tavon Austin.

Austin ran in the two and then ran off the field in excitement.

"In a game played with so much emotion. It was just a great way to end, Dunbar head coach Lawrence Smith said. "That game was remarkable. We committed way too many penalties. We had two touchdowns taken off the board and this team still battled back.

Battling back: Perry had one of his worst games before that final drive. The senior had completed only 1-of-13 passes for 20 yards, but a 13-yard run on 3-and-10 from the Dunbar 10 seemed to give him the spark he needed.

"We had to settle him [Perry] down. Me and Jonathan walked out together and I told him that they're looking in your eyes, Smith said. "He battled back. Like I said. True champions don't die and that's the mark of a champion  that's what they did  they didn't die.

Perry completed 5-of-6 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown on that final drive.

Three-peat: Dunbar becomes the fifth school in Maryland to three-peat, joining Urbana (1998-2001), Seneca Valley (1997-1999 and 1992-1994), Wilde Lake (1990-1992) and Springbrook (1979-1981).
 
Career-Ender: Tavon Austin added 191 yards and two touchdowns to his record-setting career. Unofficially, Austin ends this season with 2,661 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. His unofficial career numbers stand at 7,993 rushing yards and 128 touchdowns  both state records.

Almost the upset: Fort Hill came within seconds of upsetting Dunbar, and much of that credit came be taken by the passing game.
Known for their stout rushing attack, Fort Hill used four big pass plays to shock the Poets and put them up 19-13.

Quarterback Eric Howser completed 5-of-11 passes for 115 yards. Howser's 31-yard pass to Sam Walker set up a five yard touchdown run by Marcus Lashley to put Fort Hill up 13-12.

A 17-yard pass to Colton Sibley set up another Lashley touchdown that put the Sentinels up 19-12.

Lashley ended the day with 23 carries and 73 yards and two touchdowns.

By Sheldon Shealer

Over the next 24 hours, we will size up the eight MPSSAA football semifinal matches, starting with Class 1A.

No. 3 Joppatowne (9-3) at No. 2 Fort Hill (10-1)

Game Details: Friday at Greenway Ave. Stadium on the Fort Hill campus, 7 p.m.

Playoff History: Joppatowne is 21-13 in 16 appearances with state titles in 1975 and 2003. Fort Hill is 25-19 in 24 appearances with state titles in 1975 and 1997.

Head-to-Head: The teams have not met in postseason play.

Key Players:

Joppatowne: RB/LB Epe Henriques (So.), 1,560 rushing yards, 17 TDs on 153 carries, 84 tackles; ZB Dominick Harper (Jr.), 690 rushing yards, 201 receiving yards; RB Chris Wright (So.), 743 rushing yards; LB Jake McGinnis (Jr.), 131 tackles, 12 sacks; DT Jules Forney, 82 tackles, nine sacks; DE David Miller(Jr.), 78 tackles.

Fort Hill: RB Marcus Lashley, 1,130 rushing yards, 14 TDs; QB Eric Howser 802 passing yards, 479 rushing yards; TE Jordan Helmick, 15 catches, 313 yards; LB Garrett Dolly (So.), 95 tackles; LB Dakota Welsh (Jr.), 92 tackles; DL Caleb Morris, 81 tackles.

Key Matchup:

Fort Hill fullback Marcus Lashley vs. Joppatowne DLs Jules Forney and Roges' Butler.

Keys to Victory:

Both teams have a run-first, pass-if-needed approach to offense. Both teams need to establish a ground game in order to win. If Fort Hill is forced to the air, the game swings in Joppatowne's favor with DBs Dominic Harper and Anthony Hall, who has 12 interceptions this year.

Story Line: Joppatowne's record reads 9-3, but the team is undefeated on the field. The squad had to forfeit its first three contests for using an ineligible player. & Fort Hill has endured a wild ride this year under first-year head coach Todd Appel. The squad received a forfeit win early in the season when Dunbar (D.C.) left the field in response to alleged racial slurs. That situation prompted a flurry of media activity focused on racial issues in this Western Maryland community. McKinley (D.C.), in the same league as Dunbar (D.C.), was forced to drop its game with Fort Hill, leaving the Sentinels with nine contests, while Dunbar's claims were being investigated. & The Mariners are making their second straight state semifinal trip to Cumberland, having lost to Allegany last year.

No. 4 Catoctin (8-4) vs. No. 1 Dunbar (11-1)

Game Details: Saturday at Poly Complex, 1 p.m.

Playoff History: Catoctin is 4-5 in six playoff appearances. Dunbar is 28-7 in 13 playoff appearances with state titles in 1994, 1995, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Head-to-Head: The teams have not met in postseason play.

Key Players:

Catoctin: QB/RB Bryce McGuire, 884 rushing yards, nine TDs; RB Nathan Lenhart, 863 rushing yards, 14 TDs; DL Jake Fields, 88 tackles; LB Kyle Vaughn, 84 tackles.

Dunbar: RB Tavon Austin, 2,043 rushing yards, 28 TDs, 855 return yards on 16 attempts; QB Jonathan Perry, 1,606 passing yards, 17 TDs; RB/DB Davon Muse, 859 rushing yards, 12 TDs, eight interceptions; WR Sean Farr, 24 receptions, 602 yards; LB Gary Ouenkwusi, 130 tackles; LB Horace Miller, 115 tackles, 26 sacks; LB Nathan Ayers (Jr.), 101 tackles; DB Courtney Bridget, eight interceptions.

Key Matchup:

Catoctin QB Bryce McGuire vs. Dunbar LB Gary Ouenkwusi.

Keys to Victory:

Catoctin will be outmanned in pretty much every aspect of this contest, therefore, the Cougars' hopes rest with sustaining long drives to keep the ball away from Dunbar. & Catoctin moved running back Byrce McGuire to quarterback, giving the Cougars four running backs in the backfield, in hopes of grounding out yardage against the Poets. & The Poets simply need to get adequate blocking from OLs Antonio Brown and Anthony Watters to allow Tavon Austin, Jonathan Perry, Davon Muse and Sean Farr to do what they do best run in the open field.

Story Line: By virtue of two wins to reach the state semifinals, Catoctin has matched its win total in five previous playoff outings. & Conversely, Dunbar has lost only one playoff game in the last four years. & Had it not been for a one-point season-opening loss to Gwynn Park, Dunbar likely would have been in the running for the overall state No. 1 ranking.  

By Mike Loveday

There are 36 Maryland football players who have already made their college decision -- they are just waiting for Feb. 4, national signing day, to make it official. But for Jelani Jenkins, Tavon Austin and Jason Ankrah, the recruiting process has been more about getting it right than getting it over.

	Michael D Kurec for ESPNRISE
	Jelani Jenkins isn't rushing into making a college decision.

"It was a conscious decision for me. It's a big opportunity with a lot of colleges offering, and I just wanted to wait as long as I can. Learn as much as I can about the colleges," Jenkins said. "I just wanted to wait until after football season, take all my visits and take my time, once I'm done with the football season."

Good Counsel's Jenkins has been dealing with the recruiting process since his sophomore season. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Jenkins is the ESPNU 150 No. 2 rated linebacker and has more than 30 offers. He has conducted interviews and answered questions about his recruiting, but has yet to hint as to where or when he will commit. There was speculation that he would commit during the Jan. 4 broadcast of the Under Armour high school all-star game on ESPN.

"I will probably not have my decision by then, but if I do, I will probably do it during the Under Armour game," Jenkins said. "I would have to get all my five officials by that time. Right now it will probably be Feb. 4."

While Jenkins has been dealing with recruiting since his sophomore season, Quince Orchard's Ankrah has been gaining interest since the summer before his senior season.

"In the beginning [of the summer] it started off with two schools. Then it grew to five, then seven then 10," Ankrah said. "I just put it off to see which one gives me the best opportunity. I'm still waiting to see. I don't really want to rush into anything because I don't want to regret it later."

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end held more than 10 offers before narrowing his list to Penn State, Michigan, Maryland, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Nebraska, but has held off from making a decision until he can take his official visits.

Austin's college choice is as difficult to figure out as he is to tackle on the football field. For the 5-foot-8, 160-pound athlete, it has been an internal debate.

"The reason I waited so long is because I don't know if I want to play in a pro-style offense or a spread offense. That's what's really keeping me," Austin said. "I wanted to take all my visits and see what place I felt comfortable at. It just falls back on what type of offense I'm going to play in. A lot of colleges say I'm going to play the slot, but a lot say I can play both. I'm really leaning toward both, but it's a family decision too. Every coach asks me what I'm waiting for."

Ankrah said he learned a lot about how to choose a college -- information he is passing on to teammates.

"I would tell them to keep their grades up so they don't have to worry about eligibility later. Find out which schools are real and which schools really want you for you and not just for your talent," Ankrah said. "I talk to the players from the school and ask them if they regret their decision. Coach Mac [Quince Orchard head coach Dave Mencarini] has relationships with a lot of college coaches so he lets me know. I listen to the coaches and what they say and I can tell if they're telling the truth or not."

These three athletes have a wealth advice for the next class after years in the spotlight.

"I'm going to tell my juniors to make sure they feel out the coaches and ask the right questions," Austin said. "One question they should ask coaches is about looking past football. I want to know which coach is going to look out for me after football."

Jenkins and Ankrah's seasons ended this past weekend as both teams lost -- Good Counsel in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) championship game and Quince Orchard in the Class 4A West region final. Austin, Jenkins and Ankrah will play in the Maryland Crab Bowl - a state-wide all-star game on Dec. 20. Austin can be seen next when his Dunbar team plays Catoctin in the Class 1A state semifinals Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.

By Mike Loveday

It's not every week that a state record falls. It is for that reason, plus the fact that he did it in a big rivalry game that Dunbar's Tavon Austin is this week's MDVarsity.com State Player of the Week.

Austin rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown in Dunbar's 30-18 victory over rival City College. With his 125 yards, Austin not only became Maryland's all-time rushing leader, but became the first high school player to surpass the 6,000 yard mark for his career.

Austin breaks the rushing record, one year after breaking Maryland's all-time touchdown record. The senior athlete now has over 100 career touchdowns and 6,002 yards for his career.

For more on Tavon and the rushing record read Austin breaks the rushing record on MDVarsity.com

Six thousand yards. It's number no running back in Maryland high school history had achieved -- until Dunbar senior Tavon Austin.

	Mike Loveday/ESPNRISE.com
	Tavon Austin is the first Maryland native to rush for more than 6,000 yards.

With his 125 yards against City College on Saturday, Austin broke the state's career rushing record of 5,920 set by Snow Hill's Ben Tate (2005) and surpassed the 6,000 yard mark for his career -- he has 6,002 yards.

"Tavon Austin had more hype than anyone else who has gone over 5,000 yards and I feel he's absolutely delivered," said Sheldon Shealer, ESPN RISE senior editor, who has been covering high school football in Maryland for 21 years and has seen all eight Maryland running backs who have surpassed the 5,000-yard mark. "He's going to go down as the greatest of the 5,000-plus rushers. He has in his back pocket something only one of these other running back has -- a state championship."

Austin has been the model of consistency and improvement. He has been a member of the varsity team since his freshman year and has rushed for more yards in each of his first three years. Beginning with his freshman year, Austin has rushed for 1,078, 1,701 and 2,553 yards and he has done it on teams that have won two Class 1A championships. Austin follows in the footsteps of seven other running backs that have at least 5,000 career rushing yards and whom have gone on to Division I-A programs, with one making it to the NFL.

Wall (1990) was the first to surpass the mark, followed by Riverdale Baptist's Olandis Gary (1993), Oxon Hill's Walter Cross (1997), Patuxent's Terry Caulley (2001), Georgetown Prep's Marcus Mason (2002), Lackey's Morgan Green (2004) and Tate.

"The rushing record, to me, of the career records, is the most legitimate in terms of superstars," Shealer said. "The eight kids who have topped 5,000 bear that out. There is no career category where the top eight performers all-time have gone on to be Division I football players. Tate is currently at Auburn, Mason played at Illinois, Caulley went to UConn, Cross was at Michigan, Green and Wall stayed instate at Maryland and Gary played for the Georgia Bulldogs of the Southeastern Conference. Gary also went on to play six seasons in the NFL after being drafted by the Denver Broncos as a fourth-round pick in 1999."

Maryland's career 5,000 yard rushers: 6,002: Tavon Austin, Dunbar, 2005-present 5,920: Ben Tate, Decatur/Snow Hill, 2003-2005 5,790: Marcus Mason, Georgetown Prep, 1999-2002 5,540: Terry Caulley, Patuxent, 1998-2001 5,374: Olandis Gary, Riverdale Baptist, 1991-1993 5,227: Walter Cross, Oxon Hill, 1994-1997 5,133: Morgan Green, Lackey, 2002-2004 5,095: Raphael Wall, Wilde Lake, 1987-1990

Austin holds more than 15 Division I-A college scholarship offers.

So where does Austin rank in the pantheon of running backs?

Breaking it down by the numbers, Austin took 45 games to break the record and has been playing since his freshman year. Gary and Mason never played more than 10 games in a season. Tate took 37 games to reach his total and did it in three seasons. Tate rushed for over 2,000 yards in both his junior and senior seasons to reach his final total.

But anyone who has seen Austin juke, spin and run past defenders knows that numbers cannot come close to telling his legacy.

"I've seen them all and I would say, Ben Tate and Tavon Austin are without a doubt the best two running backs I've ever seen in Maryland," Shealer said.

Austin has 670 yards through five games this season and has helped lead Dunbar to a 4-1 record.

	Mike Loveday/ESPNRise
	Tavon Austin is one of several talented Poets that look to win another 1A championship.

By Mike Loveday

Last Year: 14-0, Class 1A state champions

Key losses: Keon Redhead (MLB)

Key returnees: Tavon Austin (RB), Jonathan Perry (QB), Sean Farr (WR), Tevin Brown (LB), Horace Miller (LB).

Impact newcomer: Michael Mayo (DE), Nathan Ayers (LB), and Courtney Bridget (DB).

Names to watch: Davon Muse (DB), Antonio Brown, Devin Clarke.

My take: I do not envision a circumstance in which Dunbar does not make it back to the Class 1A title game again this year. The offense is stacked with Austin, Perry and Farr and should once again put points on the board.

The defense is faster this year, according to head coach Lawrence Smith, which makes them even scarier on that side of the ball.

"This year our defense is really fast. Everybody is sprinting to the ball. Our defense is going to be great and our offense we already know is going to be great, Horace Miller said. "The way we've been working out this year is much harder than any year I've been at Dunbar. Our senior class has really stepped up; Davon Muse deserves a lot of credit. The coaches will make us do 300 push ups and then he (Muse) will make us do 300 more.

Smith added that the only thing that could derail the Poets chances of winning a third straight 1A title is complacency.

"Staying hungry. The kids have to want to succeed, Smith said. "It's easy to become a champion, but it's hard to remain a champion.

The schedule will be enough to keep Dunbar on its toes this year, with an opening week game against Class 2A favorite Gwynn Park, followed by games later in the year against Poly and Edmondson.

By Mike Loveday

	Mike Loveday/ESPNRise
	Horace Miller came in No. 1 at the Nike My Better competition.

His better really is better than your better. Dunbar's Horace Miller proved it when placed first in the My Better competition at Nike's Portland (Ore.) campus, but that is not the beginning of Miller's story and will not be the end.

Two years ago, Miller sat in front of a computer and typed his name into Google, only to see nothing return. At the beginning of last year, college coaches were regulars at Dunbar, but they were there to see teammates Tavon Austin, Sean Farr and Jonathan Perry -- not Miller.

Even after a season in which the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Miller made Small School All-State second team honors, college interest in the defensive lineman lagged behind his teammates. That is when Miller took his fate into his own hands.

"I always pictured myself as a Division I prospect, and I figured my junior year was the most important year in my football career, Miller said. "My sophomore year [after the season] I wouldn't say I was just sitting around, I was just working out. This year I decided I might as well get out there.

"He motivated himself because of Tavon, John and Sean, Dunbar head coach Lawrence Smith said. "College coaches were coming into the school and they wanted to see Tavon and they wanted to see John, Sean and Tevin [Brown]. He wanted to be one of them guys because he felt he was one of the better guys.

Miller made the rounds this year, attending the Baltimore Nike Combine and camps at Tennessee, Maryland, West Virginia and Boston College.

He improved his SPARQ Rating, a test of athleticism, from 63.49 as a sophomore to a 91.17 as a junior, but the best was still to come.

As one of the top 12 national qualifiers for the Nike My Better competition, Miller was flown to Oregon to compete against some of the nation's top recruits, including Aaron Harris (Baldwin Park, Calif.) who has offers from Arizona, Washington, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State.

Miller dominated, coming in first for three of the five events and winning the competition with a SPARQ Rating of 162.93. Brown placed first in the 20-yard dash (2.67 seconds), kneeling power ball (42-4) and vertical jump (39-7).

For Miller and the rest of his Poet family, the victory came as no surprise.

"He told me he was going to win it, so I expected him to win it, Perry said. "He just has a fire inside him and wants to be better than great. The good thing about Horace is that he made something for himself. He said he wanted to go to college and play football. Now he's getting recruited to play linebacker.

Miller has scholarship offers from UNLV and the University of Louisiana-Monroe with several more colleges starting to express serious interest.

"One thing about Horace is that he pushed himself in the weight room, he listened and went to the camps and combines and got his name out there. Now he's got himself two scholarship offers with a few more coming, Smith said. "He's a testament to a young man that worked to put himself at the next level. Everyone doesn't do that. & He made it himself, to sit down with the defensive coordinator to understand the blitzes, understand what's going on with the defense to do what he had to do.

"A lot of people have been saying I've been flying under the radar, but I always had the confidence that I was a good athlete. I just needed the time to show it. I always train hard, I just needed the chance, Miller said. "Tenth grade year I used to e-mail coaches and hope and pray for a response and usually I didn't get it. This year they e-mail me now. Coaches I didn't even know had my e-mail have been e-mailing me. I have a dresser full of Division I college mail now.

Make sure to leave your comment below and let us know how we're doing.

Email Mike at Mike.Loveday.ESPN@gmail.com

By Mike Loveday, editor

State College, Pa., is little more than a three-hour drive for most of the Maryland football players committed to Penn State University, but the ESPN Outside the Lines series profiling the trouble Penn State athletes have gotten into over the past six years must have hit a little closer to home.

Or did it?

Six Maryland high school football players are verbally committed to attend Penn State following their senior seasons and none of the players contacted seem concerned about the issues raised in the program.

"Me and my mother watched it. It didn't really have an affect on me because I know what I can do and what I'm going through, Eleanor Roosevelt's Derrick Thomas (pictured below) added. "It doesn't really change my mind at all. I still like Penn State and I'm still with it.

While that sentiment is shared by the other athletes, Thomas' mother did not agree.

"To see all that stuff happening there I really worry. At this point I don't really want him to go to that school. I know you can't run away because trouble is everywhere, but to see that they have a coach and a coaching staff that is not doing what they need to do to keep this stuff from happening it really worries me, Angela Thomas said. "I don't want my son to attend a school where there's no guidance. When he's away from me I want him to have a role model to keep him in line.

According to the OTL program, "since 2002, 46 Penn State football players have faced 163 criminal charges, according to an ESPN analysis of Pennsylvania court records and reports. Twenty-seven players have been convicted of or have pleaded guilty to a combined 45 counts.

When asked if she was concerned about Thomas attending Penn State Mrs. Thomas replied, "I am. Honestly I am. I'm going to have to have a serious talk with him. I'm definitely not leaving it up to him. We all need to sit down and talk about this because I just want the best for my son. & I need to see what type of options he wants to have right now, because Penn State, to me, is not a good option.

Thomas added that his mother had expressed interest in him attending the University of Maryland before his commitment. Thomas chose Penn State over offers from Maryland, Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Illinois.

Thomas is one of six Maryland athletes committed to Penn State. Eleanor Roosevelt teammate Stephon Morris, Oxon Hill's Brandon Felder, Lackey's Darrell Givens and Malcolm Willis and Gaithersburg's Sean Stanley have all committed to play for the Nittany Lions.

In fact, Penn State has received more commitments from Maryland players than from any other state so far. Five Pennsylvania athletes have given verbal commitments as of press time.

From those already committed, the allegations have little to no affect.

"Of course if you have a lot of students and players at one school getting into trouble it's going to make that school look bad, but you can't necessarily say that the school is a bad place. It just shows that those people chose to make the wrong decision, Givens said. "It's not really been a big deal to me. Once you're in college you're an adult. You're a grown female or male and you're old enough to make your own decisions. If you choose to make the wrong decision, that's on you.

The program seems to have raised so little interest in the athletes interviewed for this story that at least one, Felder, still has not seen it. Thomas chose to not watch the entire program and said he has no interest in seeing the rest of it.

While no names were mentioned in the OTL program, days later former Gwynn Park standout Phil Taylor was dismissed from the team. A name that Roosevelt defensive back Morris knows, which made the series more interesting for him, but did not make him waiver from his decision.

"My whole take on it was that I stay away from that type of trouble. When you go to college you should know the things you shouldn't be doing, Morris said.

What about the questions surrounding Paterno's job security? The 81-yeard old, who will enter his 43rd season as head coach and has compiled a win-loss record of 372-125-3, enters the last year of his contract and the release of the OTL information raises serious questions as to whether JoPa will return.

"I've been told that about his (Joe Paterno) contract. I've been watching ESPN College Gameday, they keep talking about it. I mean even if this is his last year, whether it's a successor, which I'd love to have, or if it's a brand new coaching staff, and then I guess I'm going to have to see, Morris added. "I'm going (to Penn State) because that's where I should be. It wasn't for any specific coach.

Bobbie Felder, the mother of Brandon Felder (pictured), also seemed unconcerned about the program.

"I honestly don't have a problem as far as these allegations that have gone on with Penn State, Mrs. Felder said. "Both my son and I believe in the program and I don't feel as though this is going to be a problem with my son's football career or academic career.

While each student-athlete comes from a different background and are spread out over several counties, they all expressed a single thought.

"At a lot of schools around the country things are going to happen, people make mistakes. It's not like it really affected me or changed my mind, Lackey's Malcolm Willis said. "There are places you can get in trouble around the world. You can live in the country with no trouble at all and you can mess up. It's about bettering yourself after you make that mistake.

Penn State has offers out to five more Maryland high school athletes: Dunbar's Tavon Austin, Gwynn Park's Raynard Randolph, Quince Orchard's Travis Hawkins and Jason Ankrah and Good Counsel's Jelani Jenkins.

So how will this impact the decision for potential commitments? At least one athlete said it will have none.

"That's not me. I know what kind of person I am and I won't be in situations like that, Randolph said. "That has nothing to do with me and has nothing to do with the school. That's outside of the school and what they did. & stuff like that happens everywhere. Unfortunately they were the ones to get caught. Penn State is still one of my favorites.

Randolph is said to be deciding between attending Penn State and Maryland.

As of press time, the other four athletes mentioned above along with Stanley were unavailable for comment.

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Email Mike at Mike.Loveday.ESPN@gmail.com

By Mike Loveday

oloveday5@yahoo.com

Almost every team that makes it deep into the state playoffs have one thing in common, underclassmen that contribute.

Those underclassman help augment the senior leadership. Let's look at the teams that made the championship games last year.

Quince Orchard had senior Thomas Addison, but Travis Hawkins, Terrence Stephens, Jason Ankrah and Cody Magill were all juniors. Arundel had two outstanding seniors, but Alec Lemon and Sean Fitzgerald were the perfect compliment to Brandon Johnson-Farrell.

River Hill had the trio of Michael Campanaro, Malek Redd and Leron Eaddy to help senior Zach Martin go out a champion. Dunbar was led by juniors Tavon Austin, Sean Farr and Jonathan Perry on offense and Tevin Brown on defense. Allegany put their running game on the shoulders of offensive lineman Justin Hymes.

Hereford and Damascus seem to be the exception to this rule as both teams relied heavily on seniors to get them to the title game, but state semifinalists Lackey, Wilde Lake, Clarksburg and Thomas Johnson counted on their juniors.

With this in mind I'm continuing my look at some of the rising juniors that I expect to make an impact on their respective teams this season. This is the third and final story in the series.

Robbie Havenstein, Linganore: At 6-foot-7, 300-pounds, Havenstein is an imposing presence on the line. The offensive tackle not only has the size, but also the agility to anchor the Lancers this season.

J.D. Hook, Allegany: As a running back, Hook will be looked to as a replacement for Jake Twigg and Brian Matthews. As a linebacker, the junior will pair with fellow junior Dustin Wharton as leaders on the defense.

Evan Pittman, Calvert Hall: (pictured above) Pittman impressed coaches with his size, mobility and strong arm at the Bullseye combine. As a Super 100 member, Pittman proved that he could lead his team during 7-on-7 games.

E.J. Scott, Good Counsel: A look at 2010 athletes is not complete with Scott. The receiver and defensive back is not only an impact player on the Falcons, but will be one of the most highly recruited athletes in the state.

Tyler Lardy, Gaithersburg: Lardy ran a 4.7 40-yard dash at the Bullseye Combine and showed his explosiveness with a 25-8 vertical and a 29-2 kneeling power ball toss.

Troy Gloster, Good Counsel: (pictured right) Gloster is another Falcon that will be highly recruited. The 5-11, 209-pound linebacker has a rock-solid frame and runs a 4.7 40.

Joseph Kirby, Kent Island: As a sophomore, Kirby rushed for 441 yards and seven touchdowns. At the Bullseye Combine, the running back ran a 4.68 40 and did 14 repetitions of 155 pounds.

Kyle Tucker, Linganore: The Lancers line will be tough to get through with Havenstein and Tucker. Tucker broke the Bullseye Combine bench press record when he did 38 reps of 155 pounds.

Devante Stamps, McDonogh: Stamps could be the perfect compliment to fellow receiver Javarrus King. Stamps has 4.8 speed and has a 6-foot-2, 183-pound frame, similar to that of King.

Dylan Acab, Poly: Acab showed good speed with a 4.6 40-yard dash and was one of several Engineers to impress during the Bullseye Combine.

Justin Handley, Patuxent: Handley has 4.67 speed and as a third receiver in the Patuxent offense, could be the perfect slot receiver compliment to Eric Farmer and Justin Ford.

Antione Goodson, Poly: Goodson was primarily the running quarterback for Poly last season, but during the Bullseye Super 100 he showcased one of the strongest arms of any participant.

Nick Bonhag, River Hill: Bonhag plays tight end for the Hawks and made a run at the Bullseye Super 100 MVP with highlight reel catches during 7-on-7 games.

Kevin Johnson, River Hill: Johnson played quarterback on the junior varsity, but could see time as a defensive back for the Hawks this season. With 4.65 speed and a 35-inch vertical, there has to be some place for this athlete to play.

Malik Cross, Oxon Hill: Cross along with receiver Brandon Felder will be a player to watch on Oxon Hill's offense. As a sophomore, Cross rushed for 1,653 yards and nine touchdowns.

If you want more information about the upcoming season and all the players you can order your copy of the Preseason Football Magazine Here

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Posted by Mike Loveday

With MDVarsity.com's transfer to the ESPN platform underway and a new beginning on the horizon, I think this is a good time to look ahead to the upcoming football season. This year could be one of the most exciting seasons in years, with several individual records preparing to go down and personal landmarks ready to be reached.

Of course, DeMatha makes a bid to win the WCAC for the sixth straight season and eighth overall this decade, but overshadowed in the Stags dominance is head coach Bill McGregor's personal landmark. McGregor enters his 27th season as head coach and his next win will be his 250th. McGregor has a career record of 249-34-3.

Quince Orchard is vying to become the first Class 4A school to go 14-0 in back-to-back seasons and the first since Seneca Valley to go undefeated two years in a row. The Screamin' Eagles went 13-0 in 1997 and 1998.

Damascus' Mark Magas will break the career record for most extra points in a season this year. The rising senior has 139 for his career, three shy of Jon Dinkins (Hereford) record of 142 from 2001 to 2003. Not only is Magas making a run on the Maryland record books, but could have his name in the national books by the end of the season. If Magas kicks 49 extra points this year he will break into the National Top 10, surpassing Bill Manolopoulos (Hobart, Ind.) 187 set from 1988 to 1991. The National record is 350, set by Tyler Lewis (Albemarle, N.C.).

The biggest record that is expected to fall this season is the career rushing record by Dunbar's Tavon Austin.

Austin ranks fifth all time with 5,287 yards, 634 away from breaking Ben Tate's (Decatur/Snow Hill) record of 5,920. The rising senior already holds Maryland's career touchdown record and could break into the national Top 10 with another stellar season.

Two players, Troy Fleming (Franklin Battle Ground Academy, Tenn.) and Hubert Bobo (Chauncey-Chauncey Dover, Ohio), are tied for 10th place with 132 touchdowns. Austin needs 41 touchdowns to break into the top 10. Nedrow Onondaga's (N.Y.) Michael Hart holds the No. 1 spot with 204 career scores.