When the stars
come out
College prospects
highlight rivalry game
between Rice, St. Mary?s
By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer
A lot of prep football fans have been waiting for Sept. 23.
Even if the matchup between Orchard Lake St. Mary?s and Birmingham Brother Rice didn?t include upwards of 10 top college prospects, it would be special. But with players bound for the likes of Penn State and Florida State, it can?t hurt.
?People want to come out and see these kids play,? Rice coach Al Fracassa said. ?They want to see how their kids match up against Brother Rice, and they want to see how our kids match up with St. Mary?s.?
The 1 p.m. showdown at Southfield-Lathrup between the Catholic High School League Central Division rivals features the cream of a very strong crop of metro Detroit football talent.
Players like St. Mary?s defensive back Dionte Allen, who has committed to Florida State, and Brother Rice linebacker Chris Colasanti, bound for Mount Nittany, have given this yearly showdown an added charge.
?We?re a couple of neighborhood schools who know each other real well,? St. Mary?s coach George Porritt said. ?Anytime Rice and St. Mary?s play, it?s a big game, but there are a lot of very good football players in this game.?
Along with Allen and Colasanti, four other players competing in the showdown have committed to Bowl Championship Series schools in the Big Ten, Atlantic Coastal Conference and the Southeastern Conference.
Rice?s roster is highlighted by seniors Colasanti, Mike Cappetto (quarterback, Duke), and Darris Sawtelle (tackle, Tennessee), who led the Warriors to the 2005 Division 2 state title along with prospects such as tight end Dan Youssif (Eastern Michigan) and wide receiver Kaunda Hancock, who has yet to commit.
But having all of these top-flight recruits is nothing new for the likes of St. Mary?s and Rice.
?Way back in 1974, I had 11 Division I college players,? Fracassa said. ?They went to Michigan, Arizona State, Michigan State and schools in Florida, so we had quite a few players who were very good.?
The Eaglets match the Warriors star for star with Allen joining fellow seniors Justin Siller (quarterback, Purdue),
Taurian Washington (wide receiver, Ohio State) and Alex Delisi (linebacker, uncommitted).
While some argue early commitments by standout players allow them to concentrate on their senior season without the stress of unanswered questions, Porritt sees some drawbacks to the early decisions ? namely that they might take away focus from the team.
?Coaches think about a lot of things, sometimes too many things,? Porritt said. ?Our concern is always on what?s best for the team, and with the early commitment system used by colleges now, you wonder about some things.?
After the way this rivalry ended in 2005, a list of who?s who in high school football isn?t really needed to hype the game.
The Eaglets finished the regular season undefeated with wins against Rice in the regular season and in the Prep Bowl.
St. Mary?s then lost Siller to an injury in a first-round playoff game against Walled Lake Central. When the Warriors and Eaglets faced each other for the third time in five weeks in the regional championship, it was Rice on top, 17-8, on its way to the state crown.
?They?re going to try to get some revenge and prove to everyone in the world they?re the better team,? Fracassa said. ?They?re going to want revenge, but I try to stay away from that. I just want my kids to play the best they can.?
You can reach Brad D. Bates at
[email protected]
