ESPN RISE

A decade ago, Nathan Scheelhaase and Blaine Dalton met for the first time on a basketball court. They were third-graders then.

Now they're both seniors and two of the best quarterbacks in Missouri. Dalton, No. 115 on the ESPNU 150 and the nation's No. 9 QB, plays for Blue Springs South. Scheelhaase, ESPNU's No. 29 QB, plays for Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo.

The two will meet once again Sunday at Rockhurst (ESPN/ESPN360 12 p.m. ET) in a battle between the past two Missouri Class 6 state champions. It's definitely not the first time their paths have crossed since the first meeting all those years ago.

"We've known each other since about third or fourth grade," Scheelhaase said. "We used to play basketball together. I even played football with his team.

"We've known each other for a while."

A rivalry as well as a deep friendship grew between them as years passed. The two were inseparable at all the different sporting events they competed in together.

By the time Dalton and Scheelhaase got to high school, they were two of the best athletes in the Kansas City metro area and had already caught the eye of their respective coaches.

Rockhurst coach Tony Severino saw potential in Scheelhaase right away.

"When he was a freshman, I said 'This young man's got a chance to be the best we've ever had here,'" Severino said. "That's not a compliment I usually throw around."

It wasn't just Scheelhaase's athletic ability that impressed Severino. He'd seen plenty of talent come through Rockhurst, which is ranked No. 13 in the ESPNRISE.com FAB 50 preseason rankings. Scheelhaase had the tools that can't be coached, such as intelligence, leadership and an incredible work ethic.

"He's a leader," Severino said.

"He's not a kid who's just out there. He's the hardest working kid on the field."

Scheelhaase quickly earned himself a varsity spot playing safety his freshman year. A couple of years later, Scheelhaase proved his coach right by leading Rockhurst to a state title in 2007.

Dalton found similar success at Blue Springs South, which is ranked No. 49 in the ESPNRISE.com FAB 50 preseason rankings. Jaguars coach Greg Oder said Dalton already had the respect of his peers when he stepped onto the field as a freshman. Dalton's brother Ryan, a senior at the time, and his friends on the team knew what he was capable of.

"Everybody had a lot of respect for his ability because they had seen him play little league football," Oder said. "He already had a reputation as a really good player. So, all the kids respect the heck out of what he's done on the field."

Apparently, so did the coaches. Dalton got a few starts at quarterback as a freshman. By the time his sophomore season rolled around, the spot was his.

He proved to be the right choice, leading the Jaguars to a state title in 2006.

Dalton and Scheelhaase's trips to St. Louis -- where the Missouri state title game is held -- usually required their crossing paths en route. Blue Springs South defeated Rockhurst during its 2006 playoff campaign. Rockhurst returned the favor in 2007.

Those games added to the rivalry between the two schools and between the two friends. Things have reached a fever pitch in anticipation of the nationally televised game between the two Missouri heavyweights.

Dalton and Scheelhaase both said they were excited to compete against each other on such a grand stage. However, both viewed it as an opportunity to put Missouri high school football on the map.

"It's just getting built up bigger and bigger this year with the ESPN game and everything," Scheelhaase said. "It's something we're excited about as players. It's a chance to kind of express our talents and show what Missouri state football is all about."

Dalton said he and Scheelhaase talked about the prospect of playing against each other in front of a national audience. Then, it was just a prospect, and the idea of it had them both in awe. Since then, the whole thing has gotten so much bigger.

"There's a lot of hype to the game, but I don't know exactly what the atmosphere is going to be like," Dalton said. "I imagine it's going to be pretty crazy, but I think it's going to be pretty cool too.

"You've got to take it for what it's worth and play the game."

For those who don't get enough of Dalton and Scheelhaase this weekend, there'll likely be more opportunities down the road. Dalton is headed to the University of Missouri after he graduates (he's hoping to graduate early to get to Columbia by January). Scheelhaase is headed to Illinois once he completes his senior year.

Each thinks his choice of school is a perfect fit.

Like current Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel did when he was at Caroll High School in South Lake, Texas, Dalton runs a spread offense. With his quick feet, pinpoint accuracy and deft touch, Dalton is already drawing comparison's to Daniel.

"I think me and Chase are quite a bit alike," Dalton said. "He's a pretty good quarterback. I wouldn't compare myself to him yet. I haven't even taken a snap at the college level."

With his elusiveness and strong arm, it's easy to see why Scheelhaase picked Illinois. Juice Williams has found success there with a similar skill set. Williams also factored into Scheelhaase's decision to commit to Illinois.

"I talked to Juice two weeks before I committed and just asked him if he had to do it all over again, if he'd go to Illinois," Scheelhaase said. "He said undoubtedly that Illinois would be the school for him, and he thought it would be a good option for me."

With Dalton joining the Tigers and Scheelhaase heading to Illinois -- two ranked schools that will meet this weekend -- they realize there's a chance they'll once again be standing across from each other on opposite sidelines.

"If I had the opportunity to play Blaine, that would just be awesome from a friend standpoint," Scheelhaase said. "Just that rivalry we've always had; it would just get bigger and better."

Don't expect this rivalry to ever become a heated one, no matter what the stakes.

"When we're on the field, it's business and stuff," Dalton said. "When we're off the field, it's just jokes and stuff and just talking about stuff. We have a pretty good friendship.

"I don't see football or anything else getting in the way."

Charlie Slenker is the sports editor at the Maryville (Mo.) Daily Forum.