Spring Season Preview: McCluer Comets

The spring football season in the St. Louis area is finally upon us and several area squads that didn’t have the opportunity to play in the fall because of COVID-19 restrictions or concerns are getting ready to take the field. On Saturday, McCluer High School hosted a four-team preseason jamboree featuring Hazelwood Central, Hazelwood East, Ritenour and the host Comets. "It went great," McCluer coach [player_tooltip player_id="37169" first="Howard" last="Brown"] said. "It went great, honestly, because no one got hurt. I spoke to Carey (Davis, Hazelwood Central’s coach) and (Ritenour coach Kyle) Wagner and it seemed like everyone was healthy. We were very pleased to be able to rotate a lot of kids. We’re at 50 kids right now. ... We’re using this spring as a warm-up for the fall. You can’t really do a lot." McCluer is coming off a strong 9-3 campaign back in 2019, the first season for Brown at McCluer after a successful 15-year run at McCluer South-Berkeley. Now he’s looking to move the program forward in 2021 as the Comets "get to play a season and a half," as he explained. That season and a half starts this Friday at 6 p.m. at Pattonville. "I think it’s going to be a great contest," Brown said. "Coach (Steve) Smith does a phenomenal job of getting those guys going. They are a Class 6 school and we’re Class 4. It’s going to be a great challenge for us. We look forward to it. Our guys have never played over there before." Here is a quick look at some players to watch this spring, including four seniors who have already signed with colleges and some uncommitted college prospects... <strong>Class of 2021</strong> <strong>Tyreek Smith, ILB, 5-11, 225 (signed with Quincy University)</strong> Smith was all over the field and ended up as the Comets’ leading tackler back in 2019 with 96. He also added three sacks and an interception. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9935197/5de3eef8f569ca111037d91f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Jordan Duncan, WR-OLB, 6-3, 180 (signed with Quincy University)</strong> As a junior, in 2019, Duncan caught 12 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9529350/5dd364c0ab92e20740b759c1" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Marquis Hawkins, WR, 6-3, 175 (signed with Quincy University)</strong> Hawkins showed big-play ability as a junior, back in 2019, when he averaged 25.2 yards per reception. He caught 13 passes, which ranked fifth among the Comets, but he turned those receptions into 328 yards, which ranked second on the team. He hauled in two touchdown passes. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9510064/5dd6c6b7a023930e14cf1f02" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Chris Robinson, S, 5-10, 165 (signed with Wayne State)</strong> Robinson was a first-team all-conference selection in 2019 when he recorded 50 tackles and a team-high seven interceptions. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9510063/5dd60de90c5ec80ff49ae562" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>DeVeion Cannon, SS-OLB, 6-0, 165</strong> Brown had nothing but praise for Cannon, who remains unsigned due to tragic circumstances. "He was getting a lot of looks, a lot of love, but his mother passed away in May of last year," Brown said. "... He is a phenomenal strong safety, outside linebacker." Cannon ranked third on the Comets in tackles (55) back in 2019, when he was a junior. "He’s a kid, when he plays, he shows up on tape," Brown said. "He’s athletic. He comes downhill. ... He deserves to get that opportunity to at least be seen. If his mom didn’t pass, he would have been with my other seniors who got scholarships." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9587748/5de81f3d4205990ea4923fd2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Class of 2022</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37634" first="Kameron" last="Gillespie"], WR-ATH, 5-10, 175</strong> Pictured above, Gillespie was touted by his coach as the kind of player who can play anywhere on the field and excel. "He had a phenomenal sophomore year and I think he’s going to do a great job this spring," Brown said. "Very explosive kid. Very explosive. Very fun to watch. ... I think he will be in a position to get some offers this spring and get some love. ... He reminds me of a Percy Harvin." Gillespie was McCluer’s leading receiver back in 2019, despite only being a sophomore, when he caught 34 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11148400/5de2c5a6ab926213a828a6ba" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Class of 2023</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="178572" first="Al-Mani" last="Jimerson"], NG, 6-4, 305</strong> "I know D-line. That’s my thing," Brown said. "And he’s something special. You don’t have too many large kids in North County who can move and who can do it from the beginning. As a freshman he looked like something special. (During the jamboree) he was doing exactly what he does in practice and that’s causing problems." Brown added that Jimerson’s "grades are impeccable," which will make him even more sought after as a college prospect. <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/oNP2Uo1QEomhCBhG6"><strong>McCLUER JAMBOREE PHOTO GALLERY</strong></a></p> &nbsp;