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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


High School Notes

by: Jamie DeMoney
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Privates may vie for championships in Texas

The days of public and private schools competing for separate state championships in Texas might be coming to an end. A bill approved in March by the Texas state Senate would allow private schools with enrollments of over 500 to compete with University Interscholastic League (public) schools for state championships.

Texas is currently one of three states that do not allow private and public schools to compete with each other for district and state championships.

Proponents of the status quo cite the "recruiting issue." In order to keep enrollments up, private schools often seek out student-athletes from across district boundaries. The result is the appearance of traditionally powerful programs stockloading talent out of the backyard of some of their public-school rivals.

There are competing amendments to the bill aimed at addressing recruiting. One would restrict the private schools to only using student-athletes from within the corresponding attendance zone of the nearest public high school. The other would allow participation of athletes from outside the district, but only in non-championship events.

The bill must still gain approval in the House and be signed by Governor Rick Perry before it becomes law. A similar bill died in the House two years ago.

Alabama schools still hoping to save sports

While lawmakers are haggling over ways to compensate for a $266 million deficit in education funding, spring football practice went on as scheduled in Mobile, Ala.

A $28.8 million budget shortfall led to the Mobile County school board effectively canceling sports and all other extracurricular activities for next school year. However, superintendent Harold Dodge issued a letter to high school principals announcing that schools could still hold spring football workouts. The decision was contrary to Dodge's earlier order to cancel spring practices in an effort to subdue "false hopes" that a resolution would be found to save next year's season.

The funding crunch is due to a statewide education spending proration. Mobile County, the state's largest district with some 66,000 students, figures to feel the most severe ill-effects because it lacks sufficient local funding.

The Mobile Register reported that a collection of bills were being prepared by the state legislature to address the funding problem. The most likely proposal was believed to be a temporary sales tax increase. Any other tax increase - such as income or property - would require a vote of the people.

Privates may vie for championships in Texas

The all-time winningest high school football coach in Minnesota history has retired for the second time. After leading Cambridge-Isanti to its third state championship last fall, George Larson decided to leave coaching again. This time for good, he said.

Larson's career record is 307-66-6 with three state titles in 38 seasons. He returned to Cambridge-Isanti in 1999 after five seasons away from the sidelines. The Bluejackets made it to the Class 4A state championship game during both seasons of Larson's return.

"I loved coming back," Larson told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "But I didn't go hunting last fall. And, when you do things, you should do them 100 percent. I didn't get a chance to enjoy some other things."

An Eye to 2002

This month we continue to look at some of the top rising prospects from the Class of 2002. This time we head to south to Florida, where Division One football talent is about as abundant as sunshine and voter fraud.

In alphabetical order, here are the Prep Recruiting Network's early list of prospects to watch from Florida. Evaluations are based upon conversations with each player's high school coach following the season.

Jamelle Cornelius WR-CB, 6-0, 175, 4.43
Fort Meade
Racked up nearly 1,000 yards receiving last season, but will move to quarterback next season to orchestrate the triple option and best take advantage of his athleticism. "He's a great athlete and also a tremendous baseball player." - coach Mike Hayde

Antonio Cromartie, S-WR, 6-3, 180, 4.45
Lincoln (Tallahassee)
Next season Cromartie might be as highly sought-after by the nation's top collegiate track programs as he will be by the football powers-that-be - and that's saying quite a bit. He finished second the 400 meters in last summer's AAU National Junior Olympics and competes in five other events. Head coach is David Wilson.

Kwane Doster, RB, 5-11, 180, 4.2
Robinson (Tampa)
Recorded his first 1,000-plus-yard season when he was a freshman varsity starter. Continues to be a productive back despite a knee injury last season. "He's elusive. He moves and slides, somewhat like Warrick Dunn." - coach Larry "Bud" Hodgens

Rashard Dudley, RB-SS, 5-10, 210, 4.25
Marianna
Garnered Class 2A state player-of-the-year accolades and was named MVP of the state championship game last season. Rushed for 2,176 yards and 24 touchdowns. Dudley is also a great defensive player. "He closes well on the ball and is a great hitter." - coach Greg Guy

Davin Joseph, OG, 6-4, 270, 4.8
Hallandale
An all-state pick who has started since his freshman year, a season in which he allowed only one sack. Joseph has just 11% body fat. "He's the best player I've coached in 13 years." - coach Bob Wood

Jermaine McCollum, CB-WR, 5-10, 175, 4.3
Southridge (Miami)
Was voted first-team All-Dade County last season after returning three punts for touchdowns. He and twin brother Tremaine form an explosive duo in the defensive secondary and wide-out positions for the Spartans. "He's very athletic and has a great knack for the ball." - coach Mike Shapiro



Jamie DeMoney, former managing editor of American Football Monthly, is editorial director at Prep Recruiting Network in Overland Park, Kansas.






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