Top Houston program has players

While there are no Chykie Browns, Dajleon Farrs or Bobby Reids in North Shore High School's Class of 2007, the Houston-area powerhouse has several mid-level prospects.

With a five-year, undefeated, regular season winning streak on the line, coach David Aymond will rely on a stingy front seven and a bruising running game to keep the run alive.

Anchoring the defense is first-team, all-state defensive lineman Marcus Jones, who disrupts offensive game plans with his explosive play up front.

"He's a little undersized but he's a monster," defensive coordinator John Kay said. "He's quick enough to move to linebacker in college but he's a powerful kid."

Jones (5-foot-10, 220 pounds) runs a 4.7-second 40-yard-dash and does a tremendous job reading blocking schemes.

"I'm just working on getting better," Jones said. "I want to be an all-state selection again and get a chance to play college football."

Receiving the most mail is defensive end Braylen Gurnell (6-foot-3, 200pounds) and linebacker Terence Hall (6-1, 205-pounds). The defenders have scored a 1340 and 1030 on the SAT, respectively, and have over a 3.0 core grade point average.

"Braylen needs to fill out," Kay said. "His father is a huge and he just needs a good offseason in the weight room. He'll could be a major Division I late bloomer. Hall is there already. He has good quickness and gets to the ball. He had four fumble recoveries and on for a touchdowns."

Cedric Lee (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) and Josh Morris (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) are out of position and a little undersized but would be good Division I-AA catches.

On offense Vance Fizer (6-2, 200-pounds) will be directing the offense, which will have some new wrinkles that showcase his talents.

"Vance has an extremely strong arm and has more athletic ability than our previous quarterback who was very good," offensive coordinator Brian Ford said. "He's a little raw because he hasn't been a starting quarterback for us. He's also a very physical runner so we are going to run some shotgun for him this year to get him in some open spaces."

With his size and athletic ability, Fizer could end up a linebacker or defensive end in college.

The lightning-bug quick Chris Ganious returns to the backfield after a first-team, all-district junior season. Ganious (5-8, 170-pounds) had the highest rushing average in the city of Houston in any classification. The academic qualifier averaged 12.3 yards per carry and tallied 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns.

"He's a stud," Ford said. "His lower body is so powerful and he has very quick feet. He's also a varsity long jumper, so he's very athletic."

Some things never change in Houston. North Shore continues to win and put out quality college football prospects.