Potential Stars Quickly Emerging in Prep High School Football

Heading into this season, River Hill running back Kevin Johnson and fullback Brent Kluge were far from household names in Howard County. In 2008, Johnson recorded three rushing attempts in the regular season as a backup behind All-Met Offensive Player of the Year Michael Campanaro and Malek Redd, while Kluge, who transferred from Hereford, wasn't even at the Clarksville school.

Entering the midway point of the season, though, it's hard to talk about the Hawks without mentioning the pair. When River Hill (4-0) earned its 32nd consecutive win with a 49-14 victory against Mount Hebron on Friday, Johnson and Kluge accounted for four touchdowns and 195 rushing yards. They've paced the No. 5 Hawks by combining for 591 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, more than 20 tackles, a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery.

"I knew I would have a chance to step up this season," Johnson said. "I don't think it's been as big of a transition as people have made it out to be from the guys we lost, because we're all very driven to keep the reputation of River Hill what it is."

Across the area, many virtual unknowns like Johnson and Kluge have stepped into the spotlight and seized opportunities to make a name for themselves. Here are some of the players emerging as potential breakout stars just four weeks into the 2009 season:

-- Before September, Brooke Point quarterback Gary Pisall had attempted one varsity pass, and it was intercepted. In his first year as a starter after two years backing up Brian Hudson, the 6-foot senior has completed 49 percent of his passes for 965 yards and six scores.

"It's long overdue, and I'm just happy to get the opportunity after waiting behind Brian," Pisall said. "It's happening, and I guess I'm just rolling with it."

-- After fighting two years to move up No. 7 Quince Orchard's depth chart, senior running back Ben Sasu is not wasting any of the time he's earned. Sasu is the leading rusher in Montgomery County with 613 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he put up a career-high 256 yards in the Cougars' 37-15 victory over Northwest on Friday. It was the third game this season Sasu rushed for three touchdowns and the second time he surpassed 200 yards.

-- Lake Braddock defensive back Thomas Stickford earned a spot in the varsity lineup in 2008, only to break his hand while making a tackle in his debut. He missed the rest of the season. As a senior, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Stickford has intercepted six passes in four games for the Bruins (3-1), returning four for touchdowns.

"I have much better reading skills," said Stickford, who has benefited from facing a spread offense every day in practice. "I can identify what pass routes are coming before the receiver even runs his route. I wouldn't say I have the most natural talent of any DB on the field. I feel when I'm playing I can use my mental power more than my physical abilities."

-- Patuxent running back Frank Taitano was academically ineligible during his junior season, but after working to improve his grades, the 6-1, 185-pound senior now leads the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference with 627 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

"The athletic ability was always there with him," Coach Steve Crounse said. "It was just a matter of him being able to mature and prove he could take responsibility in the classroom as well to give himself an opportunity on the field."