GAME FULL OF STARS AND A FEW SURPRISES, TOONORTH, SOUTH COACHES PLEASED WITH EASE OF WORKING WITH PLAYERS

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 06/22/2007
Page: 1B
Headline: GAME FULL OF STARS AND A FEW SURPRISES, TOONORTH, SOUTH COACHES PLEASED WITH EASE OF WORKING WITH PLAYERS
Byline: BY MICHAEL DAILEY DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER

Each year, the North-South All-Star Football Classic features a few established prep stars, a few surprises and a lot of special teams headaches.

This year's game has proven to be no different for North Coach Bernie Buttrey and South Coach Bob Mullett.

"At this point, I feel pretty good about how things have gone," Buttrey said during preparations for Saturday's 7 p.m. kickoff at University of Charleston Stadium. "We've put a lot of work into our special teams because sometimes it's a bugaboo in an all-star game."

Mullett also has worried considerably about special teams play.

"It's load to get all the work in that you need to on special teams," the south coach said. "Just trying to get people in the right places on special teams is a monster. And trying to get a special play in or two, to try to keep things interesting and fun is pretty tough too."

While both coaches have struggled with special teams preparation, installing base offenses and defenses has been relatively easy.

Buttrey gives credit for the ease of picking up plays to the players' high school coaches.

"It's just been amazing," said Buttrey, who guided Parkersburg to the Class AAA state title last December.

"When you're trying to put in a whole offense and a whole defense in a week, it can be tough.

"The first couple days of the week were a little ragged. But I'll tell you, it's so amazing how well these guys were coached in high school. I have great respect for all their high school coaches because these guys all understand the proper techniques that it takes to be successful.

"We haven't had to spend any time on technique and that gives us more time to put plays in."

Mullett's squad also started slowly before picking up the pace later in the week.

"It started out slow this week," said Mullett, who coaches Van High in the fall. "It was like we were in mud trying to bring these different talents from different schools together. We felt like on Tuesday we saw a little hope and Wednesday was even better.

"We're starting to see some real glimpses out there now. Now, we're just trying to polish off some things so we can make it all come together."

So far in the North camp, Buttrey has been impressed with a couple of West Virginia University recruits.

"Obviously we've got some big name people on our roster," said Buttrey. "Junius Lewis, who is a scholarship kid to West Virginia, has been solid. Charlie Russell, his teammate at Morgantown High, is also headed to WVU."

Lewis will play defensive end and tight end in the game, while Russell, who guided Morgantown High to a pair of Class AAA state titles, will play quarterback.

Buttrey also mentioned Parkersburg High grads Charlie Taylor and Travis Buttrey as players that have impressed during the weeklong game preparations.

"We've got a lot of kids that have stood out this week in practice. We've got two big tackles, Adam Queen from Bridgeport and Tyler Dopson from Martinsburg, that are doing a good job along the offensive front."

The North will also sport reigning Kennedy Award winner and former Fairmont Senior standout Kyle Allard under center.

The South has had its fair share of standouts as well.

"(Former Capital standout) De'Metrius Thompson is a player," said Mullett of the 6-foot-3, 210-pound lineman. "He's just a lot of fun. He talks the talk, but he can also walk the walk. He's been a lot of fun to work with."

Mullett has also been impressed with a few other Kanawha Valley players - namely former Hurricane linebacker Matt Hartsog and a trio of former St. Albans stars in Jeremy James, Aaron Dunlap and Nick Watts.

"Hartsog is a small linebacker, but man is he smart," Mullett said. "Jeremy James is doing it all for us and Dunlap and Watts has really stepped it up."

Mullett also likes an offensive line that includes Nitro's Tyler Rader and Chad Snodgrass, a WVU scholarship player. Beckley's Micah Carter, a Marshall recruit, along with Riverside's Justin Crews and Wayne's Harry Sowards complete the starting offensive front.

"I really like those kids," said Mullett. "Our front five is doing a terrific job. They've come to work. They get here on time and they really get off the ball. I think the North is probably trying to figure out how to stop our front five."

As for surprises during camp, both coaches list a slew of players that they weren't familiar with prior to practice.

"You're never really sure about all the kids, having not seen them play in high school," Buttrey said. "But a kid that really sticks out in my mind is Ben Kettering (Fairmont High). He's a 6-6 wide receiver that has great hands.

"He's also a physical kid who's not afraid to block somebody down the field. He's really impressed me. He's just a monster."

Mullett has been impressed with a few under-the-radar players as well.

Former Nitro fullback/linebacker Anthony Eads has impressed the coaches, as has Tolsia's B.J. Evans and Sissonville's Myles Henson.