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Sunnyside running back Jovan Stevenson (3) has been offered a scholarship by Oregon State. He is also being recruited by Utah and UNLV.

Renee Bracamonte/Tucson Citizen

Catch some rising stars in Colts-Devils clash


JESSIE VANDERSON Sierra Vista Buena (1-4) at Sunnyside (5-0)
Tucson Citizen

You could call Friday's Sierra Vista Buena at Sunnyside high school football game the Recruits Bowl.

In Buena seniors Jamal Womble and Manumalo "Jake" Muasau and Sunnyside senior Jovan Stevenson, the Class 5A Southern-A region contest will showcase three players who are coveted by more than a dozen NCAA Division I-A programs.

All three have been listed as three-star recruits (on a scale of one to five ) by recruiting service Scout.com.
Kickoff for the Citizen Spotlight Game is at 7 p.m. at Blue Devils Stadium.

"We have a lot of good players here in the Tucson area," Sunnyside coach Richard Sanchez said. "Fortunately for the kids at Buena, Nebraska came down (with) some other coaches. Fortunately for us, Oregon State, UNLV, Utah and some other schools found their way to the south side of Tucson."

At 5-foot-11 and 215-pounds, Womble is a powerful halfback with sprinter's speed who has been offered a scholarship by Nebraska. He is also being courted by Wisconsin, South Carolina and North Carolina, to name a few. Scout.com ranks Womble at No. 45 nationally among running backs. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

Muasau, 6-2, 207, is a sure-handed wide receiver and physical defensive back who Nebraska is also recruiting. The safety is also being recruited by Arizona. Muasau is listed by Scout.com as the nation's 69th best wide receiver. He has run the 40 in 4.62.

"Womble and Muasau are tough kids," Sunnyside assistant coach Philo Sanchez said. "They both have good wheels, and it is easy to see, when you look at them, why they are being recruited. They are good-size kids and they have good speed. I think they will succeed at the next level."

Stevenson (5-11, 190), considered one of the most elusive running backs in the state, has been offered a scholarship by Oregon State. Utah and UNLV are also recruiting the Blue Devils' standout, who has run the 40 in 4.5. Stevenson plays cornerback on defense.

"We have been fortunate that Jovan is here," Richard Sanchez said. "He is a good kid. He accepts coaching, and he has some talent and some skills."

Womble, Muasau and Stevenson had banner seasons as juniors, which is the time when collegiate programs start to seriously evaluate prospects.

Womble rushed for a career-high 1,230 yards and scored 14 touchdowns while helping the Colts post a 6-4 record last year. Muasau, who caught only 16 balls, averaged 19 yards per catch and scored seven TDs.

Stevenson carried on Sunnyside's tradition at running back when he rushed for a city-leading 1,863 yards and scored 14 TDs as a first-time starter who led the Blue Devils to the 5A Division II state championship game. He rushed for 313 yards and three touchdowns against Buena last year.

"I am going to feel honored to be on the field with Womble and Muasau, but for me, the game is going to be about a team effort," Stevenson said.

Stevenson has rushed for 603 yards and scored seven TDs this season for the 5-0 Blue Devils.

"It felt good when the first school came to see me play. That was Oregon State," Stevenson said. "I never thought anybody was looking at me. When they came, it was an honor."

The recruiting process has been a flattering and demanding experience for him.

"It feels good to be recruited, but sometimes it is kind of hectic a little," Stevenson said. "Sometimes I do not want to talk, but I have to. I am kind of tired sometimes, and they hassle you a little."

Both schools have recently sent a player to I-A schools. Devin Veal, the Colts' starting quarterback last year, accepted a scholarship offer from UA, where he is a redshirting while learning to play wide receiver. Xavier Smith, a two-time 4A all-state running back at Sunnyside and Stevenson's cousin, is a redshirt sophomore for the Wildcats. He is a reserve halfback for coach Mike Stoops.

"I used to always tell my coaches in college that there are some guys now here that can play football," said Philo Sanchez, who played at Northern Arizona. "We will see that Friday night. You will see three guys that are being highly recruited."

Buena is 1-4 on the year, but with their talent, Sunnyside coaches feel the Colts are as dangerous as any team in the region.

"When you have guys like they have who can take the ball the distance on any play, they are dangerous," Philo Sanchez said.