2008 Team to Watch: St. Thomas Aquinas

PrepNation.com continues to look ahead to the 2008 high school football season. We're still a couple months away from the start of our expanded preseason national rankings release, but it's not too soon to whet your appetite with mini-previews of teams that are likely to figure very prominently on the national scene this season.

For the second time in three years, Ohio's Kirk Herbstreit Classic will play host to the defending Florida 5A state champion. In 2006, it was eventual Prep Poll champion Lakeland. This fall, Broward County power St. Thomas Aquinas will be on hand in Cincinnati to face Greater Catholic League power Elder in the opening game of the event.

Veteran coach George Smith has led the Raiders to the state final a remarkable 11 times in the past 17 years. They have four titles to show for it, including last year's 35-20 triumph over Osceola (Kissimmee).

Eight Division I signees have graduated, leaving only six starters back. But they include the state championship game MVP, quarterback Ryan Becker (6-0, 180). For the season, he completed 106 of 183 passes (58 percent) for 1,714 yards with 26 touchdowns and only four interceptions. His top target is senior Duron Carter, the 6-1, 170-pound son of former NFL great Cris Carter. Duron is looking for a big senior season after catching 22 passes for 361 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. Another weapon in the passing game will be 6-5, 210-pound senior Gabe Holmes, who can play both tight end and wide receiver.

Conor O'Neill (6-1, 195) brings leadership and experience to an otherwise young and untested defensive unit. The senior linebacker is coming off a 100-tackle season

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla. )
Coach: George Smith (318-65, 31 years)

2007: 14-1, No. 19 in final National Prep Poll

Top returning players: WR Duron Carter (6-1, 170, several major offers, 361 receiving yards, 8 TDs); QB Ryan Becker (6-0, 180, 1,714 passing yards, 26 TDs, only 4 INTs); LB Conor O'Neill (6-1, 195, 100 tackles, good athlete)

Key losses: WR Philip Pierre-Louis (Auburn), OL Andrew Datko (Florida St.), DB Dorian Graham (Syracuse), DB Christian Thompson (Auburn), RB Jeremiah Harden (Syracuse), DB Rodney Gillis (La.-Lafayette), DB John Carr (Central Michigan)

All systems go: Receiver position; Overall talent level with at least 18 combined Division I prospects in senior and junior classes.

Questions must be answered: Both offensive and defensive lines are inexperienced

Toughest games: vs. Cincinnati Elder at Paul Brown Stadium (Aug. 30); vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Sept. 5); vs. Deerfield Beach (Oct. 17);

WESH TV Video: 5A state championship highlights vs. Osceola (Kissimmee) - 2007

2008 Team to Watch: East St. Louis

PrepNation.com continues to look ahead to the 2008 high school football season. We're still a couple months away from the start of our expanded preseason national rankings release, but it's not too soon to whet your appetite with mini-previews of teams that are likely to figure very prominently on the national scene this season.

East St. Louis is among the 11 out-of-state teams traveling to Ohio for this year's Kirk Herbstreit Classic in Cincinnati and Canton. The Flyers hope a win over an Ohio stalwart will help recapture their once proud reputation as a national prep football power.

Before looking ahead to 2008, a quick history lesson on East St. Louis football: Under legendary coach Bob Shannon, the Flyers won six state championships between 1979 and 1991. USA Today ranked the team No. 1 to close the 1985 season and it finished No. 2 in the final 1984 USA Today poll and No. 2 in the final 1989 National Prep Poll. Overall, East St. Louis' alumni roll of famous athletes is among the best anywhere: Brian Cox (NFL), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Olympics), Laphonso Ellis (NBA), Darius Miles (NBA), Kellen Winslow (NFL) and Dana Howard (NFL).

Now, on to the present, where current coach Darren Sunkett has 15 starters returning. They include a pair of blue chip recruits.

Receiver/defensive back Terry Hawthorne (6-1, 190) is an exciting two-way player. He caught 62 passes for nearly 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. Fellow WR/DB Kraig Appleton (6-3, 200) had 50 receptions for 980 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Delivering them the football will again be junior Detchauz Wray (6-0, 180), who totaled more than 2,000 passing yards and 34 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Linebacker Demond Hunt (6-0, 190) is back to lead the defense after earning all-league recognition with 95 tackles as a sophomore.

Sophomore RB Vincent Arterbridge (6-1, 210) could be a superstar of the future

East St. Louis (Ill.)
Coach: Darren Sunkett (69-21, 8 years at East St. Louis, 103-32, 12 years overall)

2007: 11-2, not ranked

Top returning players: WR/DB Terry Hawthorne (6-1, 190, 1,100 receiving yards, 15 TDs); WR/DB Kraig Appleton (6-3, 200, 980 receiving yards, 14 TDs); DB Tommie Hopkins (6-0, 180, 50 tackles, 1 kick return for TD)

Key losses: OL Brandon Harold (Kansas State)

All systems go: Speed. Eight players run the 40 in 4.5 seconds or faster

Questions must be answered: No recent experience in state championship game

Toughest games: vs. Huber Heights, Ohio, Wayne at Paul Brown Stadium (Aug. 31), vs. St. John's, D.C. (Sept. 6)

Forbes Report Scouting Video: Terry Hawthorne vs. Wheaton Warrenville South - 2007

2008 Team to Watch: St. Xavier

PrepNation.com continues to look ahead to the 2008 high school football season. We're still a couple months away from the start of our expanded preseason national rankings release, but it's not too soon to whet your appetite with mini-previews of teams that are likely to figure very prominently on the national scene this season.

The defending National Prep Poll champion will play arguably the nation's toughest schedule for the second straight season, despite returning only four starters (two on each side of the ball.)

"They say competition breeds success," says St. Xavier coach Steve Specht. "With our schedule, the players have no choice but to compete."

Specht is optimistic about staying at the top of the heap in Ohio even after saying good-bye to 18 starters and a senior class that was instrumental in winning two Division I state championships. "We do return 65 juniors and 64 sophomores excited about the opportunity to compete for a spot on the field," he says.

Two talented members of a defense that limited opponents to less than 9 points per game last year are among the veterans. End Pat Muldoon (6-4, 255) is a three-year starter with an explosive first step and non-stop motor. Linebacker Luke Kuechly (6-3, 210), who led the team in tackles in '07, is a physical player who can rush the passer and stop the run equally well.

Leading the Bombers' offense will once again be 6-5, 200-pound junior Luke Massa. He started the final seven games of this sophomore season and passed for more than 1,200 yards with 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Specht says Massa is a major DI talent with a strong arm and quick release. The line will be anchored by mammoth tackle Matthew James (6-7, 285), who started all 15 games as a sophomore.

St. Xavier (Cincinnati)
Coach: Steve Specht (51-3, 4 years)

2007: 15-0, No. 1 in final National Prep Poll

Top returning players: QB Luke Massa (6-5, 200, Jr., 1,200 yards, 11 TDs in seven games); DE Patrick Muldoon (6-4, 255, 3-year starter, multiple major offers); LB Luke Kuechly (6-3, 210, leading tackler, multiple DI offers)

Key losses: RB Darius Ashley (Louisville), WR/K Danny Milligan (Cincinnati), WR Stephon Ball (Louisville), RB Luca Romero (Cincinnati), S Fred Craig (Stanford), DE Greg Scruggs (Louisville), WR Jon Scheidler (Cornell), LB Nick Schneider (Yale), LB Evan Miller (Columbia), DB Ross Morand (Columbia)

All systems go: Recent tradition, depth with 129 returning seniors and juniors

Questions must be answered: Replacing 18 starters and a tremendous senior class

Toughest games: vs. Colerain at UC (Aug. 22), vs. Prattville, Ala. at Paul Brown Stadium (Aug. 30), vs. Don Bosco Prep, N.J. (Sept. 13), @Louisville, Ky., Trinity (Sept. 19), @Elder (Sept. 26), @St. Edward (Oct. 11), vs. St. Ignatius (Oct. 18), vs. Moeller (Oct. 24)

Forbes Report Scouting Video: Luke Kuechly vs. Winton Woods and Colerain - 2007

2008 Team to Watch: Mater Dei

PrepNation.com continues to look ahead to the 2008 high school football season. We're still a couple months away from the start of our expanded preseason national rankings release, but it's not too soon to whet your appetite with mini-previews of teams that are likely to figure very prominently on the national scene this season.

Quarterback Matt Barkley is rated the No. 1 prospect in the country by recruiting websites rivals.com and scout.com. He is one of 10 returning starters for the Monarchs, who have won 13 league titles and five CIF crowns in coach Bruce Rollinson's 19 years.

Barkley, a 6-3, 230-pound USC recruit, has been under center for Mater Dei's varsity since his freshman season. He has 6,610 passing yards and 56 touchdowns in his career, including 3,576 yards and 35 touchdowns last year.

Senior cornerback Christian Maldonado (6-0, 185) is a very skilled player who can hit. He returns to lead the defense and could also see time at receiver, a position where three of last year's starters graduated.

The offensive line will be young, but Rollinson is impressed with the talent level. Tackle Chris Ward (6-5, 290) was a sophomore all-state selection last season. The running game should be solid with the return of senior tailback Jaron Hytche (5-10, 210), who scored 10 touchdowns and averaged five yards per carry last year.

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Coach: Bruce Rollinson (191-51-2, 19 years)

2007: 8-3, unranked

Top returning players: QB Matt Barkley (6-3, 230, USC recruit, 3,576 passing yards, 35 TDs); CB/WR Christian Maldonado (6-0, 180, all-league CB), OT Chris Ward (6-5, 290, Jr., sophomore all-state).

Key losses: OT Khaled Holmes (USC), DE Cameron Meredith (Nebraska), WR Robbie Boyer (USC walk-on), OT Kyle Cook (Dartmouth)

All systems go: Barkley at QB, experience at RB, speed on defense

Questions must be answered: Inexperience at OL, depth in the secondary

Toughest games: vs. Corona Centennial (Sept. 19), @Edison (Oct. 3), @Servite (Oct. 17), vs. Orange Lutheran (Nov. 13).

Forbes Report Scouting Video: Matt Barkley vs. Corona Centennial - 2007