NEWS » squads: even during the hardest parts of his recovery, he al

DETROIT -- Past the kid with the head-to-toe Michigan gear, up the stairs that lead to a banner on the left urging students to come to Ann Arbor and back to the office in the weight room, theres a coach with championship rings featuring a Block M on both hands.In the beating downtown heart of Detroit sits Cass Technical High School, a program that has become something of a breeding ground for the most storied rivalry in college football. But despite all those ties to one side of the feud, including the coach churning out all the talent, there will be almost as many Technicians in Ohio State jerseys as Michigan ones in The Game on Saturday, in a matchup that will have Thomas Wilchers fingerprints all over it.I mean, its not about the rivalry for me, Wilcher said in his cramped, trophy-stocked office. Its all about the best interest of the child. You have to always keep the child first because if the child is not first, then who is? I cant be first. Im not going to college. Ive already been to college. Its about him.The only belief I have is that I like to have kids stay at home so their parents can see them play. If you dont have a school here in the state of Michigan, lets go out there and travel the country and find that bad boy for you so you can be happy.Former Cass Tech standouts?Jourdan Lewis, David Dawson, Delano Hill?and?Michael Onwenu stayed in-state and now play for Michigan. But it turns out theres a place across the states southern border and about three hours south of Detroit that is making a few of Wilchers former stars happy. With Mike Weber and Damon Webb both playing prominent roles and a third high school teammate, Joshua Alabi, on the bench for the Buckeyes, one of the preeminent college-preparatory schools in Michigan is becoming a key factor in Ohio States run to the playoff.Saturdays game isnt the only high-stakes battle between Michigan and Ohio State. ESPN 300 wide receiver?Donovan Peoples-Jones, who hauled in a game-winning touchdown Saturday in the state semifinals to set up a date in the championship, which will kick off one hour after The Game starts, is a recruiting priority for both the Buckeyes and Wolverines. But if the top-ranked player in the state of Michigan feels any heat from being thrust into the middle of the rivalry, he doesnt show it.I dont really feel pressure because I know guys that I have played with who go to both schools, Peoples-Jones said. I love watching my teammates, and I want the players that I know to do well, but as far as teams, nah, I dont pay attention to that.I want them all to have a good game. Unfortunately, one team has to lose, but Im not at all paying any attention to that. Im paying attention to my guys. Im happy for them, respect them and want to see them have success. Weve got guys from Cass Tech who have gone everywhere.The bulletin board behind Wilchers desk and the framed photos scattered throughout the office prove it. They show uniforms from dozens of schools around the Midwest, further validating Cass Techs place as one of the top college-preparatory schools in Michigan.As true as that is on the football field, it might go double in the classroom. High test scores and a solid GPA are required to get into the glistening building on 2nd Avenue -- and stay there. Technicians also must choose a specific academic program, which determines their course load. That combined academic and athletic experience is a significant reason Wilchers office is so popular on the recruiting trail. Cass Tech is essentially producing ready-made college athletes, and considering the standards at Ohio State and Michigan, that has turned the school into yet another battleground in a never-ending feud.Yeah, at first I thought it was kind of like an airport down here, recent Michigan commit Jaylen Kelly-Powell said. But really at our program, our players put in, our coaches put in, everybody all puts in 100 percent to what were doing. Thats how we get better, really: great coaches, great football, great academics. Best of all worlds.Coach Wilcher, he just wants the best for us, no matter what. Wherever you go, hell support you. If something about a situation doesnt feel right, hell say his opinion. But hell get the details about whats going on, and hes always looking out for everybody.There is a priority for Wilcher, though, and he doesnt even bother hiding it.A former track star with the Wolverines who won an indoor national championship as a hurdler, a running back who helped them win the 1986 Big Ten title and a former teammate of Jim Harbaughs, Wilcher has a rooting interest when it comes to The Game. But he will also speak glowingly of Michigan State, praise Western Michigan and rattle off all the other places within the state border that could offer his players a chance to stay close to home and represent a state he clearly cares deeply about.If that doesnt work out, then those frequent visits from Ohio States coaching staff can become a larger part of the conversation.I feel like he knows the best interest for all his players when it comes to getting all the potential out of you, pushing you to work hard, Weber said. Winning, sending good players to good schools, I think hell probably end up going to the high school hall of fame in Michigan.Hes a good coach, and I still talk to him to this day. He still calls me and gives me advice about how I can play and what I can do differently. He never really settled. You can break off an 80-yard run, and hell find something you didnt do right or you could have done better. He sees the potential and gets it out of you.The current Technicians wont be watching the Wolverines try to snap their four-game losing streak in the series and stay in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. Theyll be focused on their own playoff game. Wilcher, obviously, wont be keeping tabs from his sideline on the coach he met when he was a 17-year-old star athlete himself.But there is an outcome that would make the high school epicenter of the rivalry proud, and its more about the players than the teams -- well, mostly.I think its good to have Michigan and Ohio State back at the top fighting like they used to because it always came down to that final Saturday, baby, Wilcher said. It always came down to that game, and its just right back at it again. Its a real good thing to see them going at it.But, you know, you just kind of root for the players, root for [Cass Tech], and thats it. I want Mike to do well, I want Damon to do well -- but I do want a Michigan win.No matter what happens, both schools figure to be right back in Wilchers office looking to reload with Technicians for the next time. College Jerseys China . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Cheap NCAA Football Jerseys . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. http://www.cheapcollegejerseys.us.org/ .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. Cheap College Jerseys From China . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Wholesale College Jerseys . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half.Scotland manager Gordon Strachan is ready to introduce new faces to the national setup ahead of their return to action in March. Scotland will take on the Czech Republic in Prague on March 24 before facing Denmark at Hampden Park - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm - five days later.Ahead of the squad announcement on March 10, Strachan revealed that he is ready to bring in a number of debutants to the national setup. There have been some young players who have caught the eye this season and who have certainly put themselves in contention, said Strachan.I will speak to the performance director, Brian McClair, before we confirm anything because Im aware Ricky [Sbragia] and Scot [Gemmill] have important under-21 qualifiers and an under-19 elite round at the same time. Strachan could select players from Ricky Sbragias U21 squad There may be one or two surprises but that depends on how players perform within the next week to 10 days, when we will finalise the squads.Strachan had already confirmed his intentions to select largely different squads for each of the matches. There may be one or two surprises but that depends on how players perform within the next week to 10 days, when we will finalise the squads. Gordon Strachan I want everybody who is involved in these matches to get some game time, so for that reason we will select a smaller squad than normal, said Strachan.The important thing is to get the right balance for each squad, but at this vital stage of the season at club level, it is also key to do what is right for each player and their individual circumstances. Robert Snodgrass has impressed since returning from a long injury lay-off As well as some new faces, Strachan could be able to call upon Robert Snodgrass once again.dddddddddddd. The Hull winger has returned after 15 months out injured, and is back in international contention.We have kept in touch with him [Snodgrass] all the way through his rehabilitation, and he has been around the squads: even during the hardest parts of his recovery, he always arrived with a smile on his face, added Strachan.The most important thing is not to rush him - its far more important he is back to 100 per cent for his club and ready for the start of the World Cup Qualifiers - but I know how enthusiastic he is and he makes a difference to our squad. James McArthur (left) will not play again this season after injuring his ankle ligaments One regular player that Strachan wont have available is James McArthur. That comes after the Crystal Palace midfielder was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle ligament injury.He has really come of age this season as a Premier League player and, like Snodgrass, I really cannot ask for more from James than he gives every time he joins up for international duty. Captain Scott Brown could be set for a 50th international cap If selected, both Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton and Celtic captain Scott Brown could earn their 50th cap for Scotland, with both players currently one appearance shy of the landmark. Also See: Scotland latest Scotland fixtures Scotland stats Table Live on Sky ' ' '