Brisbane's toughness, magic will be tough for Jackson to match

KCK Preps Colleague David Brox touched on a comparison we could be making over the next few seasons.

That comparison, if you read the post, is between Sumner Academy legendary quarterback Armand Brisbane (and yes, legendary is the appropriate word here) and sophomore stud quarterback Jordan Jackson from Bonner Springs.

Along with their jersey numbers, both quarterbacks began their varsity careers relatively early and both won early. Brisbane won a league title in his first season at quarterback and he took the Sabres to their highest heights ever.

Jackson, meanwhile, lost just one game as the full-time starting quarterback for the Braves during his sophomore season.

However, for Jackson to match Brisbane, there are two areas where there's a lot of work to be done.

1. Brisbane was tough as nails. He was the Rocky Balboa of quarterbacks. While Sumner Academy's offensive line was good to great in games Brisbane played, he took a beating. He was a return guy. He was in the secondary and if my memory serves me correctly, played linebacker at some points. He's also a mobile quarterback who was not afraid to rush for a first down. That's not to question Jackson's toughness. However, I've yet to see him take a physical beating like I did Brisbane. In the regional championship game against Baldwin two seasons ago, Brisbane got murdered on every passing down. He was never afraid to take a hit. It was the most heroic individual game I've seen. He played hurt with potentially two separate injuries and kept the Sabres within a respectable margin all night.

2. Brisbane was a magician. Brisbane was like Sumner's version of Brett Favre. Occasionally, he made some mistakes. But once or maybe twice a game, he made plays that made me say "how in the hell did he do that?" A sign of greatness for any athlete is making plays that only he or she could made. There were one or two plays two years ago that he made where only one person could make it - him.

Jackson at this point is a little more accurate than Brisbane, so there's an area or two where's he is ahead of Brisbane's pace. 

But in terms of toughness and the ability to make tough plays, Jackson will have to prove it in both those areas.

It'll be tough, but Jackson blew me away this season and it's possible for him to do it.

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How high school football won me over against high school basketball

Being from Kansas City, Kan., I grew up a basketball fan.

High school basketball has a tremendous history in this community. You only need to travel to a certain school on Minnesota Avenue in KCK to see the history.

Wyandotte's 20 state basketball titles remains a state record and the history of that place alone is unreal. Add in Schlagle, Sumner High School and Sumner Academy, it's even more incredible.

Still, as much of a hoops fan I was back in my teenage years and my early career covering high school sports, high school football has won me over and it's my single favorite high school sport.

Now, of course I know football has not seen the tradition basketball in the city has been graced with. The odds are against a Wyandotte County state football title unless there's a drastic sea change on matters internally in the county.

For example, It kills me that many students, parents and fans in Wyandotte County are more excited about basketball tryouts than football games. While Piper, Bonner Springs and Turner may be different, I imagine the five KCKPS schools and Bishop Ward are probably a little more excited about basketball season.

Of course, I used to be in this group, so I have some hope that the following can convinced some readers to change their minds.

Here's how football won me over:

1. Football is much more of a team sport than basketball. Hanging around players like I do at practices and at games, there's less emphasis on the individual stats in football than there is in basketball. There's less individualism and less "me" in high school football than there is in high school basketball. In football, I really do feel most teams in Wyandotte County "win as a team and lose as a team." Sometimes in basketball, I feel it's like "if we win as a team, great. But if I get my 20 points, we can lose and that's OK." There's considerably less selfishness in football. 

2. Football is a more difficult sport. There are these things called tackles. Learning offensive and defensive schemes can be extremely difficult in football. There are patterns for wide receivers to memorize. There is the difficulty of nailing the timing of a pitch on an option. There's so many things that can go wrong in football. One dropped pass can ruin a game. In the case of the Schlagle Stallions this season, one terrible snap on a punt probably cost them a bid in the postseason. In basketball, at least in KCK, there's little organization. Sometimes games really do feel like a session of open gym. Basketball teams can shoot 33 percent from the field and have a chance to win. Football calls for a better effort. See the NFL and college football for that. Teams and players cannot fall asleep at the wheel in football like they can in basketball.   

3. More kids benefit from football than basketball. I've made this point countless times on this blog, but I'll do it again. The odds are significantly better that you end up with an athletic scholarship in football than in basketball. Football rosters are two to three times bigger than basketball rosters. In basketball, there are five kids on a court at one time. In football, there are 11. Counting offense, defense, kickers, punters and returners, there's 24-26 opportunities for kids to gain exposure. That's really cool.

I'll be at my share of basketball game this season, but it won't be the same.

I'll miss football.

I'm not saying fans in KCK should give up on basketball. I'm saying fans in KCK should give football a shot.

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Prospects newsletter 11/13/2011

Part of my service at Sport Highlights Unlimited is to create exposure for young men seeking to play at the next level. I have searched and found 98 colleges (D1, D2 and JUCO) recruiting coordinator email addresses that I have sent newsletters out to. My goal is to get them out to the individual players youtube channel to generate a look.

This email attempt is not a guarantee of anything but I can say I have gotten responses for some of these young men because of it. In the coming weeks I will be compiling a DVD to send to ESPN recruiting office using 2011 season highlights.

Check out the newsletter for 11/13

Bonner Springs - Bonner Springs, KS

Bonner Springs came up short against a solid Gardner team. Our prospects however fought to the very end which you will see in their film this week.

In spite of the loss to Gardner, Bonner Springs wide receiver Stevie Williams finished his senior season strong. With 7 catches 125 yards and 2 TD's he was able to finish the season with 6 consecutive 100 yard games with at least 1 TD.

Stevie ends his senior season with 50 catches 939 yards and 13 TD's. Stevie finishes his high school career with 87 receptions 1624 yards and 25 TD's. That is over 18 yards every time he caught the ball and a TD just under every 4 receptions.

http://www.youtube.com/user/stewill3

Johnathan Jackson had 220 total yards and 3 TD. He never quit and that is not more evident than on his 77 yard TD reception. 217 carries 1549 yards and 24 TDs, 21 receptions 203 yards and 2 TDs. Throw in a defensive score and he was in the end zone 27 times this season. 238 touches and he lost 1 fumble.

High school career stats 366 carries 2627 yards 35 TDs, 34 receptions 314 yards 3 TDs. 2 lost fumbles. I don't throw in the fumbles as an insult to his numbers but a compliment that he lost the ball twice in 400 touches.

http://www.youtube.com/user/5jjjackson

Jordan got his first taste of playoff football and had to play most of the game from behind. He responded well going 22 of 38 for 375 yards 3 TD and 1 INT. He finishes the season with 1 INT in 139 attempts. Completing 59% of his passes for 1393 yards and 17 TD makes him a player
to watch going into 2012. Rest assured that he will be hitting the combines this spring.

http://www.youtube.com/user/jodrjackson10

Joseph Dooley finished his senior season with a bang against Gardner. With
a season high 6 catches and 114 yards he put his good hands and leaping ability
to work. He finishes the season with 18 catches 220 yards and 2 TDs.

http://www.youtube.com/user/joedooley80

Below is a look at footage of more prospects from Kansas City whose seasons are already
over.

Washington – Kansas City, KS
http://www.youtube.com/user/majorjackson27

Schlagle – Kansas City, KS
http://www.youtube.com/user/jveyonbrowning25

This is just one of the methods that I use to market the talents of the young men using my service. I talk to all of them and their parents that this process should be treated like a job search. You have a resume in your film and prospect profiles that must be mailed, re-mailed and passed along to get a chance. We are in the information age and there are tools that the rest of the country is making use of that we must also use here in KCK.

For more information please email me at davidbrox@shukc.com. I am happy to answer questions about my service or to help you in your process.

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Five reasons why Kentucky will handle Kansas

Two of the true "blue bloods" in college basketball will do battle with each other next week as the Kentucky Wildcats take on the Kansas Jayhawks.

Kentucky, a national title favorite, will face a Jayhawks team that's looking to replace the Morris Twins and Josh Selby.

While Kansas will probably grow into a solid team this year, it's too soon for them to play Kentucky.

Here are five reasons why Kentucky will cruise against the Jayhawks next week.

1. Kentucky's interior play. While Thomas Robinson is a good player for KU and an all-conference nominee, Kentucky has the advantage inside. Anthony Davis, a 6-10 freshman from Chicago, is probably the best freshman in college basketball this season. He's a freak and is probably the front-runner for freshman of the year. Sophomore Terrence Jones, a 6-9 forward, scored 15.7 points a game last year as a freshman and led the SEC in rebounding. Those two players should have nice nights against the Jayhawks.

2. Kentucky actually has experience this year. The knock on Wildcats head coach John Calipari (besides the "he's a cheater!!!" taunts from opposing fans) is that his teams don't have experience. That's not the case. Along with Jones, fellow sophomore Doron Lamb returns and senior Darius Miller is also back. Lamb and Miller were the two best three-point shooters in the SEC last year statistically. Miller was the league's tournament MVP. Miller and Lamb outside, along with the Davis-Jones duo inside, will present significant issues for the Jayhawks. Kentucky has four or five guys who are reliable from the three-point line.

3. The nation's best recruiting class. Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague were ranked each in the Top 5 list in the top recruiting class Kentucky landed this year. Kyle Wiltjer, a fourth freshman, appeared in some Top 20 lists. That's talent. Kentucky, again, actually has the experience to welcome in the top freshmen compared to the last two years.

4. Depth. Kentucky's bench can go nine to 10 deep with the experienced players and freshman group. KU's bench? Conner Teahan, Justin Wesley, Kevin Young and Nadiir Tharpe. Had Ben McLemore, Jamari Traylor and Braeden Anderson been ruled eligible, this may be a better debate. But come this week, it won't be close. Kentucky has the best bench in America and it will show.

5. Timing of the game. I think KU has a very good chance at winning the Big 12 this season. They have a good chance at being a top three, maybe two seed in the NCAA Tournament. If this game was played in the NCAA Tournament, I think KU would keep it tight throughout because Bill Self's teams generally do get better as the season moves along. But this game is being played in mid-November. And right now, Kentucky is a much better team than KU.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 74, Kansas 61

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Former Bulldog Terry Moore off to fast start at Highland Community College

There was some controversy when I selected Wyandotte Bulldogs guard Terry Moore on my All Kansas City Kansas - Atchison League basketball team earlier this spring.

If his first few games at Highland Community College is any indication, Moore deserved the spot.

Moore scored 18 points in his college debut for the Scotties, shooting 7-of-9 from the field.

From behind the arc, Moore was 3-of-4.

He added six assists and four steals.

Following a seven-point game in his second college game, Moore is averaging 12.5 points a game and shooting about 60 percent from the field.

I've always thought Moore was very underrated by many here in Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County simply because he played on a losing team.

The opposing coaches in KCK also never respected Moore. He never made an all-league first team, even though he committed less turnovers than many of those guys and he did not take as many stupid shots.

Moore also did not have the supporting casts players from Sumner Academy, Harmon and Washington were lucky to have.

He had nice size and with a more organized offense and a "better situation," Moore would have thrived.

It would not surprise me to see Moore do the best out of the Class of 2011, though odds are that Tra'Vaughn White probably will.

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