Texas school plugs away

Houston's Strake Jesuit High is resilient. The only private school playing in Houston's Class 5A ranks has gotten off to a quick 3-0 despite some major setbacks.

It all started in the fourth quarter of their opener against Baytown Lee and has spiraled since. Senior running back Grant Jefferson had 150 yards going into the fourth quarter before blowing our a knee in the win. Jefferson, who was being contacted by the likes of Baylor and TCU, got his MRI the following Tuesday which discovered a blown ACL.

On Wednesday, 40-year-old coach Ron Counter had a mild heart attack that would keep him out of the next two games.

"Do you think there was a correlation between Grant's knee and my heart attack," Counter laughs. "A lot of schools were waiting on tape of Grant and now we don't know what is going to happen. Someone will take a chance on him and get a great football player.

"I've been totally out of the loop since then but have been cleared for this weekend's game," he said.

Athlete Stephen Tyree has also been slowed by a virus and is now at full strength. Tyree is receiving interest from several schools but is waiting on his first offer.

"We haven't played Stephen both ways much this year because he's been kinda sick," Counter said. "He's been our free safety. On his one offensive play he did catch a beautiful fade for a touchdown against Lee. That was a highlight film catch."

Outside of Tyree and Jefferson, Strake's other prospects have flourished. Cornerback Jonathan Moore has been playing both ways taking over the running back duties, while offensive lineman Carlos Garcia (6-4, 275-pounds) could trade in his Ivy League aspirations for a Division I scholarship. Anchoring the defense is Scott Hoffman (6-2, 205), who is receiving significant interest from Northwestern.

"Moore is a legit cover corner and is showing off his speed as our running back right now," Counter said. "Garcia reminds for of one of our kids who wanted to go to an Ivy League school and ended up on a full ride to North Carolina. He has tremendous feet and has dominated this year.

"Hoffman passes ever test as a football player, including the eye-ball test," he said.

Strake Jesuit did get one break this season. Their district game against Katy was postponed due to Hurricane Rita and district officials say they will not be making up last week's games.

They were due.