HUNTINGTON -- Chances are if West Virginia University head football coach Bill Stewart was in attendance Saturday for the North-South All Star Football Classic at Laidley Field in Charleston, he left a happy man.
Two of the South all-stars set to walk on with the Mountaineers are Woodrow Wilson running back Marquel Ali and Huntington High defensive end J.B. Lageman.
Both had performances that helped the South earn a 24-14 victory and shone a shade of light on how bright their college futures appear to be.
Just five months after knee surgery, Ali looks to have the capability of a legitimate NCAA Division I back. Ali is known for his speed. He was the Class AAA track and field 100-meter dash champion with a time of 10.80 seconds.
It was easy to see why Ali claimed the title as fastest in the state. He compiled 138 all-purpose yards Saturday, including catching a 28-yard screen pass that he turned into a touchdown.
His elusiveness and ability to shift it into a gear most players don't have is what makes Ali such an intriguing back.
"I just came out here and tried to do my best," Ali said. "It felt good to be back on the field again and I was happy with the way I played."
Lageman used his 6-foot-4 245-pound frame to bring pain to his opponents. He swarmed around Laidley Field like a bee just itching to sting someone.
After his night was done Lageman had five tackles and one quarterback sack. But, the commitment and dedication he gives on every play is what makes this former Highlander a true player of the game.
Lageman plays so physical while on the field, he appears much bigger than his actual size. Players quickly found out that there's not an easy way to get around him.
Although his numbers were sufficient, Lageman expressed after the game that he wished he could have had a better all-around performance.
"This win feels good and there was a tremendous amount of talent out here tonight," Lageman said. "I wish I could have performed a little better tonight, but it means more that we got the win."
With the type of heart these two players have, don't be surprised if they go from just another walk-on to contributing scholarship players.
TITLETOWN: Parkersburg was singled out by ESPN for its high school sports programs.
ESPN selected Parkersburg as one of the 20 finalists for "TitleTown USA." Parkersburg has won 190 state championships between its three schools -- Parkersburg High, Parkersburg South and Parkersburg Catholic.
Online voting by fans will determine the nation's top sports town to be announced July 27 on SportsCenter.
ESPN was in Parkersburg on Friday to film its segment.
GATORADE WINNER: Sissonville High School graduate Eric Myers was named as the Gatorade West Virginia boys track and field athlete of the year.
Myers swept the discus and shot put titles in the Class AA state meet, while leading the Indians to a ninth-place finish. He won the discus with a throw of 176-feet, 7 inches. His winning shot put throw was 58-feet, 7.25 inches. His discus throw of 183-feet, 5 inches at the Jesse Owens Classic was ranked 67th in the nation.
He was also an all-state football lineman and had a 3.88 GPA.
Myers will attend West Virginia Wesleyan College and compete for the track team.
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