There are plenty of high hopes around the University of Missouri football camp as the Tigers open their 2007 season on Saturday against the University of Illinois at the Edward Jones Dome.
The Tigers are poised to have one of their best seasons in recent memory. They have been on the cusp of breaking through with that special season in the last few years. Could this be the year? Some talented players from the St. Louis area are in position to make the Tiger fans’ dream a reality.
For starters, senior wide receiver William “The Helicopter” Franklin returns for what could be a spectacular senior season. The explosive 6’2” 205-pound Franklin had 48 receptions for 829 yards and six touchdowns in ’06 before missing the last two games with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
A former Vashon High standout, Franklin has been one of the most exciting players in the Big XII Conference with his combination of speed and outrageous leaping ability, not to mention one of the league’s best nicknames. In Mizzou’s powerful offense, he has a chance to bring home many postseason honors and awards. As a bonus, Franklin will have his No. 2 jersey retired at Vashon at the conclusion of the season.
While Franklin is a known commodity, a couple of young Tigers from the area are making their presence felt early. Former Fort Zumwalt West standout Carl Gettis has earned a starting spot in the defensive secondary as a true freshman. Gettis was an all-state player in Tennessee before moving to St. Charles to play his senior season at West. He has made quite an impression with his speed and toughness.
Another familiar face is former Kirkwood High star Jeremy Maclin, who is back after taking a redshirt year to rehabilitate a serious knee injury. The multi-talented Maclin will see some time at wide receiver, but he will be on the field immediately in the capacity as the team’s No. 1 punt and kick-off return specialist.
St. Louisan Donald Thomas has been selected to the NCAA Division 1-AA First Team All-American Football Team.
A former standout at Riverview Gardens High, the 5’10” 240-pound linebacker has enjoyed a stellar career at Eastern Illinois University. As he enters his senior campaign, Thomas has been reaping numerous preseason accolades before the 2007 season.
Thomas was also rated the No. 1 linebacker in Division 1-AA football by the Sports Network, which recently released its preseason position rankings for 2007.
Thomas was the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 after leading the Panthers to an 8-2 record and a berth in the NCAA playoffs. Thoas was huge for the Panthers’ defensive unit with his production, leadership and big-play ability.
As a junior, Thomas led the Panthers with 127 tackles. He had 49 solo tackles, 12 tackles for losses, one sack and two interceptions. Both of his interceptions came in the Panthers’ playoff game against Illinois State. Thomas also had four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
*High school basketball players can prepare for the upcoming season by signing up for the Prestige Basketball Fall Ball training sessions at Whitfield School. The three-week program will run from Oct. 8-25 with three session per week for a total of nine sessions, which will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The camp is for boys and girls between the grades 9-12. The Prestige Basketball staff consists of head basketball coaches Mike Potsou (Whitfield), Corey Frazier (Maplewood) and Brad Kern (Brentwood). The cost of the program is $249 for all nine sessions. For more information or to register, you can go on-line to prestigebasketball.com.
*I’m liking what I see from the USA Men’s Basketball team at the FIBA Americas Qualifying tournament in Las Vegas. It’s not the fact that the Americans are blowing teams away by big margins, but how they are playing the game. They are passing the ball, playing great defense and shooting lights-out from the perimeter. When they get out on the break, it’s been nothing but Showtime. Having veteran point guards such as Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups make all the difference. Clearly, this ship is being driven by Kidd and Kobe Bryant.
In the words of the great 70’s party band KC & the Sunshine Band; “That’s the way, uh, huh, uh huh, I like it, uh, huh, uh huh.”
