Highland on the right track

Fans looking at the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference standings this week noticed something that hasn't been seen in quite some time.

That something was Highland (Kan.) Community College sitting on top of the standings along with traditional power Butler County.

However, the Scotties are 1-0 in the conference and there's a chance they could win again this weekend as they face Independence. While 2-0 in a conference might not sound like much, but when you're talking about Highland it is.

The perennial conference bottom feeder has gotten tremendously better thanks to the efforts of coach Mike Beagle and his staff. Begale, who is in his second season at Highland, has tremendously stepped up the recruiting efforts and for the first time in a while there's a very good crop of Division I prospects on the roster.

"These guys are really fired up about the success they've had so far," Highland offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator Dave Thompson said. "It's a fun group to be around. Before practice the other day, we gathered all the guys together and told them that we're tired for first place. The place erupted. These kids are so fired up and starved for success, and I think we've finally got the right guys to help us turn things around and build some momentum for the future."

Even though Thompson is an offensive guy, he said it all starts on defense for the Scotties.

Defensive back Rashawn Copeland has quickly emerged as one of the league's best defensive players, Thompson said. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder originally from Topeka, Kan., has blown up so far this season.

"He's a terror for us," Thompson said. "The kid has, shoot, two or three forced fumbles, and he's doing a great job for us. He'll run down and destroy people on kickoffs. He stuck this one guy from Arkansas Baptist so hard that he's probably still pulling his helmet out of his guy. He's solid as a rock and fast as heck."

Copeland already reports scholarship offers from Memphis, Nicholls State and Hampton, but other schools in the Big 12, including Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State are showing interest. South Florida, Akron and Northern Illinois also are on his early list.

Thompson is also pumped about the play of the Scotties' star defensive tackle Justin Wells.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder graduates in December and is already being heavily pursued by Kansas State and Louisville. The Wildcats will host him on an official visit on the weekend of Sept. 26th.

"He's a freak," Thompson said. "He's been knocking guys around. I know Kansas State and Louisville are all over him and wanted to place him in here, but he's not tied to anybody. He's really solid 6-4, 285-pounder. He'll be a good one on the next level."

Another defensive back that has played well so far and will be heavily recruited is cornerback Chris Smith. The 5-foot-11, 193-pounder is very good in coverage situations.

"He's a sophomore from Largo, Fla., that has good size and speed," he said. "He had two picks against Hutch and is a great cover guy. We're going to have him locked up against Andre Simmons this week from Indy. He's one of the best receivers in all of juco, and I think he's going to do just fine against him.'

At linebacker Thompson is really high on the play of Andy Brunner, who is 6-foot-1 and 220-pounds. Thompson said he's bulked up this season and is now playing at 220 pounds, but he still holds his 4.62-speed in the 40-yard dash.

"He's playing lights out for us now," Thompson said. "He might not be a guy that's great in open space, but tackle-to-tackle he'll crack your head. He'll also get his butt back in coverage. He's been playing phenomenal for us."

Chris Hawkins is another good looking defender that jumps out as a hybrid between linebacker and safety, Thompson said.

On the offensive side of the ball, Paul Valiant has really stepped up his game and is putting himself on the Division I radar. The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder is a football smart receiver that does have the ability to break long ones.

"He took it 85 yards the other game on a tunnel screen," Thompson said. "The closest guy to him was 6 yards away. He's a very savvy kid. He's technically sound, has good hands and will fight for the ball in the air. He's a tremendous upgrade over what we had last year."

Another receiver that's starting to catch on is Doug White, a 5-foot-11, 165-pounder, that has made some big plays on special teams.

"I think he's averaging around 32 yards on kickoff returns," Thompson said. "The first week he opened up and had a couple 50-yard returns. He's doing a lot of damage there and that could be where he finds a shot at on the next level."

FRESHMAN CLASS KEY

Thompson said a huge reason for the early success at Highland is the amazing freshman class that could have as many as five impact recruits in next year's class. And again most of those prospects come on the defensive side of the ball.

Thompson couldn't stop gushing about freshman defensive end Jarvis Pierce, who is originally from Charlotte, N.C.

"He's tearing it up on the edge," Thompson said about the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder. "He's lightning fast. We have so many young guys that we're going to have some great experience next season and we expect guys like Jarvis to be leading the way both on and off the field."

Thompson is also high on two inside linebackers Donald Marshall (6-1, 220) and Zarrel Williams (6-0, 215), but the guy that gets him most excited is Marquise Hayden from Mesquite, Texas.

"He's been playing lights out for us," Thompson said. "He's going to be a star in this league."

On offense, Thompson believes running back Dallas Brown, originally from Newcastle, Dela., has a shot at being one of the better backs in the conference.