Commentary

Steele Knights vs. Madison Mavericks

Updated: August 27, 2010, 11:32 AM ET
By Jamie Newberg | ESPN Recruiting

Two of the nation's top high school football programs battle when the Cibilo (Texas) Steele Knights battle San Antonio (Texas) Madison Mavericks on Saturday night. The game, airing on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET, is part of the ESPN RISE High School kickoff, a series of eight games over three days televised on ESPN's family of networks.

STEELE KNIGHTS

Coach: Michael Jenks
Record: First game (Last year, 9-3)
Team overview: Since starting out as a football program in 2006, Steele High School has rattled off 11-2, 10-2, and 9-3 seasons, winning their district each year before losing to the eventual state champion in 2007, '08 and '09.
Prospect history: Last season Steele had two major prospects sign Division I in wide receiver Sheldon McClain (Oklahoma) and defensive back D.J. Jones (Houston). In 2009, offensive lineman Matt Goetz signed with Texas Tech.
Top prospects: Running back Malcolm Brown is one of the nation's marquee recruits in all of the 2011 recruiting class. This five-star prospect is No. 7 in the ESPNU 150 and the nation's No. 2 rated running back. Brown, who recently committed to Texas, can flat out do it all and rushed for 2,192 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Four-star DT Marquis Anderson is an Oklahoma commit. The No. 14 defensive tackle in the nation, Anderson lacks ideal size (he's just 6-2, 260 pounds, but he's still a load in the middle. He recorded 35 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season.
New face: Keep an eye on Jordan Sterns, a talented fullback who will open holes for Brown. Running back/wide receiver Justin Stockton could turn himself into a freshman sensation. He already runs 4.51 and is one of the most explosive players on the team.
Keep an eye on: Quarterback Tommy Armstrong will try and continue to develop as a dual-threat quarterback prospect. This Class of 2012 recruit has a chance to become one of the Lone Star State's top signal callers next season.
Other prospects: Linebacker Ryan Simmons has scholarship offers from Wake Forest, Virginia, Oregon, Purdue, Stanford and others, while safety Shane Huhn has committed to UTEP. Cornerbacks Kwame Clark and Taurean Anderson and wide receiver Blake Gardner all have a chance to play on Saturdays.
Bet you didn't know: Steele High School spilt from Clemons High School and opened up in 2005. It played its first varsity season in 2006 and finished that year 3-7.

VS.


MADISON MAVERICKS

Coach: Jim Streety
Record: First game (Last year, 6-4)
Team overview: Streety has a career record of 304-115-3 over 37 seasons, including 20 at Madison where he is 155-70-1. Madison lost in first round of playoffs last year to state runner-up Austin Westlake 31-27 when Westlake scored the game winner with 8 seconds left in the game. Madison has been in playoffs 13 times over last 19 years, including its best finish in 2007, when it went 13-2 and lost in the state semifinals. Over that time frame they have been to seven quarterfinals.
Prospect history: Last season James Madison has a trio of players sign Division I offers in linebackers (Oklahoma State) and Tommie Saunders (Oklahoma State) and wide receiver Nate Askew (Texas A&M). In 2009, cornerback Andre Green signed with Nebraska.
Top prospects: James Madison has one of the nation's top running back prospects in Aaron Green. This four-star prospect is No. 14 in the ESPNU 150 and is the country's No. 3 rated running back. Simply put, he's one of the most explosive offensive prospects in the country. Last season he rushed for 1,133 yards and 11 touchdowns. His school favorites are Nebraska, Texas, Florida State and Cal at this time and it's worth remembering Green's older brother, Andre, is a member of the Cornhuskers.
New face: Class of 2012 OL prospect Donovan Williams missed the 2009 campaign with a broken foot, but he has the skills to play D-I. Senior safety Andre Wiggins only played in five quarters last year with a broken foot, but he's back and can make plays. Senior defensive end Vincent Taylor didn't start a game as a junior, but has a chance for a big senior season.
Keep an eye on: Class of 2013 defensive tackle Vincent Taylor has all the makings of becoming a big-time Division I recruit in a few years.
Other prospects: Running back Troy Williams has already committed to play for Texas-San Antonio. Cornerback Troy Lara is a defensive back who has a great chance to play on Saturdays.
Bet you didn't know: Madision alum Todd Pletcher is one of the leading American horse trainers. His horse, Super Saver, won the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

Jamie Newberg

RecruitingNation
  • Jamie Newberg covers recruiting in the Southeast.
  • Email him at jamienewbergbw@yahoo.com.

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