Charles, others lands spot in U.S. Army game

Jamaal Charles of Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial has been named a 2005 U.S. Army All-American. Charles will join a stand-out list of athletes playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on January 15 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

This classic east vs. west match-up will be televised live on NBC at 12:00 p.m. and will feature the best 78 high school football student-athletes in the country.

“It is a great pleasure to have this fine young man selected to represent his school and community as a U.S. Army All-American,” said Colonel Thomas Nickerson, Director of Strategic Outreach for the U.S. Army Accessions Command. “He has proven himself to be a superior athlete and I know he will add an exciting dimension to January’s game.

"Our slogan, ‘An Army of One,’ recognizes the value of individual talents toward achieving team goals, and his talents make him a strong addition to this All-American team, Nickerson added. This game will highlight his skills for a national audience, and the Army is pleased to provide this opportunity to him and all the U.S. Army All-Americans.”

Charles is a standout running back at Memorial and is ranked as the No. 12 overall running back in the nation and a four-star selection. He has already committed to Texas. He has yet to see the field this year beacuse of an injury but is expected to see action starting in the third game.

"Jamaal has the ability to run the ball and do it at a high level," Memorial coach Dean Colbert said. "He also has great speed, so if he gets in the open, he can really hurt you."

As a U.S. Army All-American Charles also has the potential to be named a finalist for the Ball Park National High School Player of the Year Award honoring the nation’s best prep football player at the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Awards Dinner on January 14, 2005 in San Antonio.

The Ken “The Sugarland Express” Hall Trophy, is the equivalent of the high school Heisman Trophy and is named after record setting running back Ken Hall of Sugarland, Texas.

Several other announcements are scheduled to take place later this week in Houston.

On Thursday, Houston Booker T. Washington offensive tackle Reginald Youngblood will be named to the team. Then on Friday Galena Park North Shore tight end Dajleon Farr will be announced as part of the team. Youngblood is a five-star selection and the No. 2 offensive tackle according to Rivals.com. Farr is ranked as the No. 48 player overall and a four-star pick.

On Saturday at half time of his game, Alief (Texas) Taylor five-star tight end Martellus Bennett will also be announced as part of the game. Bennett, a Miami commitment, is the No. 6 player in the nation and the top tight end.

Elsewhere in the country, four-star defensive tackle James McKinney of Louisville Central will be named to the game. The announcement is scheduled to take place during Central’s game on Friday night.