Local Players Battle in BIG TEN
PHOTO by MD
Former Detroit/PAL alums #15 James Ross (UofM) and #4 Malik McDowell (MSU) will face off in Ann Arbor. Ross and McDowell played for the DET West Side Cubs.
Today two Big Ten football games will feature talent from the Detroit area. Undefeated #7 MSU (5-0) coached by Mark Dantonio will be in Ann Arbor to face their rival #12 UofM (4-1) with new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Also undefeated #17 Iowa (5-0) faces off with #20 Northwestern (4-1) in Chicago. Players on MSU, UofM and Iowa represent local leagues including the Detroit Public School League, the Oakland Activities Assoc., the Catholic League and Detroit PAL.
The Spatans have dominated this game in recent history. Starters on defense include DL Lawrence Thomas (Det. Renaissance H.S.), DL Malik McDowell (Southfield H.S.) and LB Jon Reschke (Birmingham Brother Rice H.S.). LB Ed Davis (Det. Southeastern H.S.) suffered an injury in Aug. practice that would end his season before it started. On offense WR Aaron Burbridge (Farmington Hills Harrison H.S.) is the favorite ttarget for QB Connor Cook.
The Wolverines enter today's contest with a new swagger after shuting out their last three opponents. Local players starting on defense include CB Jourdan Lewis (Det. Cass Tech. H.S.), LB Royce Jenkins-Stone (Det. Cass Tech. H.S.), S Delano Hill (Det. Cass Tech. H.S.) and LB James Ross (Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep). Ross will sit out the 1st half after being ejected from game last week vs. Northwestern. DE Mario Ojemudia (Farmington Hills Harrison H.S.) was injured vs. Maryland ending his season.
The Hawkeyes can take control of the Big Ten West Division with a win today. CB Desmond King (East English Village H.S.) has become a leader on the Iowa defense. He has 5 interceptions this year and 353 all-purpose yards returning kicks and interceptions.
Last week Lewis was named Jim Thorpe Player of the Week last week with a 37 yd pick-six against the Wildcats. Two weeks ago King got the same award with two interceptions and nine tackles in game vs. Wisconsin. They played together in Detroit PAL on the West Side Cubs.
Malik McDowell, Royce Jenkins-Stone and James Ross also played in Detroit PAL for the West Side Cub's organization. Delano Hill is from the East Side Detroit Tigers team. See some of their pictures from Detriot PAL and high school on our Urban Sports Legends Facebook page.
