25 Players to Watch in ’06
Of the St. Louis American
Prep football begins this weekend on the Missouri side of the river. Here are a few of the top players to watch as the season opens this weekend.
25 Players to Watch in ’06
William Anderson (Hazelwood East): Brusing fullback who rushed for 584 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.
Michael Baker (Cardinal Ritter): Senior linebacker who had 93 solo tackles, four sacks and five interceptions. Committed to Miami of Ohio.
LaMark Brown (Hazelwood West): Dominant player on both sides of the ball. Rushed for 1,249 yards and 21 touchdowns. Also a top defensive back. Committed to Kansas State.
Michael Clark (Sumner): Senior speedster who rushed for 904 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Chris Current (Jennings): Outstanding senior linebacker who had 106 tackles and two sacks as a junior.
Jarrett Ford (Vashon): A towering two-way lineman at 6’4” and 315 pounds who will anchor the Wolverines line play.
Carl Gettis (Fort Zumwalt West): Talented transfer from Nashville, Tenn. area who should add a lot of spice to the Jaguars’ attack as a tailback.
Sherman Golden (Affton): A whopper of fullback who rushed for 741 and 10 touchdowns for Class 4 state runners-up. He is also an excellent defensive end.
Jamal Graham (Gateway Tech): Senior defensive end who led the St. Louis area with 20 sacks last season.
Marcus Harris (Kirkwood): Senior quarterback who threw for 2,384 yards and 19 touchdowns for Class 6 state semifinalists.
John Hopkins (Oakville): Talented tight end/defensive end who has received a slew of NCAA Division I recruiting interest.
Quartize Jackson (McCluer North): Senior tailback who rushed for 1,104 yards and 12 touchdowns for Class 5 state finalists.
Norris Johnson (McCluer North): Senior receiver who had 32 receptions for 999 yards and 14 touchdowns for Class 5 state finalists.
Wesley Kemp (DeSmet): Junior receiver who had 46 receptions for 1,062 yards and seven touchdowns. Set the single-game receiving record in last year’s Show-Me Bowl.
Devin King (DeSmet): The 2005 Freshman of the Year after leading the Class 6 state champions in tackles. Will add running back duties to his linebacking chores.
Keenan Mace (Beaumont): An All-PHL defensive lineman who had 65 solo tackles and 12 sacks.
Marvin McNutt (Hazelwood Central): A stud of an all-around athlete who passed for 1,239 yards and 12 touchdowns in leading the Hawks to the Class 6 Show-Me Bowl. Committed to Iowa.
Thomas Merriweather (Hazelwood East): Outstanding tailback who rushed for 1,421 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior.
James Moore (McCluer North): A 6’4” 250-pound junior who earned All-State honors as a sophomore linebacker. Had 87 tackles and four sacks.
Chris Owens (Hazelwood Central): Excellent tight end prospect who had 20 receptions for 404 yards and two touchdowns.
Barrington Packnett (John Burroughs): Tough little running back who rushed for 701 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Previn Perry (Lutheran North): Senior tailback who rushed for 1,287 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Mike Whittier (Webster Groves): Emerged as a top quarterback as a sophomore, throwing for 1,490 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Doug Williams (Clayton): One of the top linebackers in the area who had 125 tackles as a junior.
DeMarcus Wilson (MICDS): All-around talent who had an area-leading nine interceptions. He also had 38 receptions for 420 yards and six touchdowns.
Rolandis Woodland (Rockwood Summit): Athletic transfer from Lutheran North who had 15 receptions for 404 yards and 10 touchdowns.
