Earlier this week at practice, a local police officer took out his radar gun on the sidelines at Wilde Lake High School. Not to catch speeders, but to compile his own scouting report on senior running back Zach Brown.
The verdict? Twenty-seven mph.
“If he ran in a school zone, he?d get a ticket,” said Wilde Lake coach Doug DuVall, who is in his 34th year with theprogram.
Brown was the 100- and 200-meter state track champion last spring and was a top wrestler at 215 pounds.
“He?s a hard worker and a real talent,” DuVall said.
Brown rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in 2005. DuVall said he thinks that his speedster could top the 2,000-yard mark this fall.
“He?s explosive,” DuVall said. “When he?s at top speed … it?s like getting hit by a car.”
At 220 pounds, Brown will be a load to bring down. He?s also a top defender, hauling in an average of eight tackles a game at linebacker in 2005. According to DuVall, Brown is getting collegiate looks from Maryland, Florida, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame.
Howard County programs aren?t new to the recruiting game. This year?s flock of talented seniors will bring in plenty of college scouts. Brian Van Deusen, the coach at River Hill, has plenty of prospects on his own roster, but he is aware of Brown?s abilities.
“I think he?s one of the fastest kids in the league,” Van Deusen said. “He?s definitely somebody you?ve got to game-plan against with that breakaway speed.”
Brown is also versatile.
“Make sure you know where he is at all times because they try to get him involved in the passing game, too,” Van Deusen said.
Brown will get some help from an experienced offensive line. Zach Hanks (6-foot-2, 275 pounds), Vince Santiago (6-2, 220), Dave Klotz (6-3, 230), Alonzo Williams (5-11, 270) and Cody Blue (6-5, 270) anchor a veteran unit.
“We are bringing back an offensive line that has played together for a couple of years,” DuVall said.
While the line will have almost everything to do with Brown reaching 2,000 yards, it would be a challenge for anyone to stifle his speed once he gets into the open field.
Even the local police.
