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High School Notes

2000 Season Preview
by: Jamie DeMoney
HighwiredSports.com
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The lazy days of summer have finally morphed into the anything-but-leisurely period in mid-August when two-a-days become the name of the game. Before the high school season officially kicks off, let's take an early look at some of the teams and players who could be making headlines this fall.

10 Teams to Watch in 2000 (in alphabetical order; 1999 record in parenthesis)

Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) (13-1)
Coach: Mike Mischler

The Ramblers are picked by many to unseat three-time defending state champ Central Bucks West (Doylestown) in Class AAAA, a feat they nearly accomplished last season in a 14-13 title-game loss that was decided by a blocked punt. DL Charles Rush, a 6-4, 280-pounder, figures to be a top 25 national recruit by year's end.

De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) (12-0)
Coach: Bob Ladouceur

The Spartans own the nation's longest winning streak (100 games) in history and have won eight consecutive Class 4A North Coast Section championships. National player of the year D.J. Williams has graduated, but junior QB Matt Guiterrez and senior LB/RB Kevin Simons should pick up much of the slack left behind in the playmaking department.

Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.) (15-0)
Coach: Dennis Dunn

Other than De La Salle, no team had more success in the 1990s than last year's AFC No. 1 team, Evangel. The Eagles have won 60 straight games, four consecutive state championships and seven titles in the last eight years. Brent Rawls, a 6-foot-5-inch converted wide receiver, will take over under center for Brock Berlin, who is now at the University of Florida.

Jenks (Jenks, Okla.) (13-1)
Coach: Allen Trimble

The Trojans will be boosted by a whopping 16 returning starters from a 1999 squad that won a state-record fourth consecutive Class 6A state title. RB duo Kejuan Jones and Bobby Klinck form one of the top backfields in the nation and DE Brandon Lohr, whose brother plays at Nebraska, is the heart and soul of the defense.

Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) (13-2)
Coach: David Wilson

The Trojans will have the daunting task of defending a state title within the awesome ranks of Florida's Class 6A. The job appears even tougher when the loss of five Division I-A signees is figured in. But the return of lightning-quick RB/DB Mike Gilliam, massive OL Josh Snead (6-8, 280) and speedster WR/DB Craphonso Thorpe makes Lincoln still the team to beat.

Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) (13-0-1)
Coach: Jerry Jaso

The Jackrabbits return a ton of talent from a team that shared the Division I Southern Section championship with Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). Junior running back Hershel Dennis rushed for 1,547 yards as a sophomore. Top seniors include DE Ray Tago, QB Markee White and LB Marvin Simmons, a transfer from Dominguez (Compton, Calif).

Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.) (14-0)
Coach: Joe Bunge

The Redhawks, a traditional Chicagoland power who won their first Class 6A state title last season, could be the team to beat again in what figures to be a very competitive 2000 season. Linebackers Ryan Anderson and Drew Kocsis are the nucleus of a defense that returns nine regulars, and will be counted on heavily to lead the 'Hawks' title defense.

St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) (13-2)
Coach: Chuck Kyle

The Wildcats dominated Division I Ohio football in the 1990s, winning state titles nine times in 12 seasons, including last year. This year Ignatius will be buoyed by the size of the DE/LB duo of Pat Massey (6-8, 245) and Bill Meholif (6-3, 235).

West Monroe (West Monroe, La.) (13-2)
Coach: Don Shows

The Rebels had won three consecutive Class 5A state crowns before national champions Evangel ended their run last season. Led by 6-foot-8-inch, 300-pound OL.TE Andrew Whitworth, seven starters return for WMHS on offense. But, as is usually the case, defense will be the Rebels' primary weapon, with eight starters back, including stud LB Glentrell Ware.

Westlake (Austin, Texas) (12-1)
Coach: Ron Schroeder

The Chaparrals, ranked preseason No. 1 in Texas Football magazine, return eight offensive starters as they bid for their first state championship since 1996. Speed figures to be the main strength of the team in the form of wide receiver Christian Campbell, son of former NFL great Earl Campbell, and RB's Brendan DeWan and Scott Balew, who each rushed for over 1,000 yards last season.






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