Syracuse Football: Catching Up With the Commits - The Sugar Bear Cometh

Obviously, the big recruiting news this week is tight end Ronald "Sugar Bear" Thompson to Syracuse.  The 6'4", 240 lb, four-star tight end from Southfield, MI chose Syracuse over Bowling Green, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Toledo, Vanderbilt.  He also had interest from a bevy of other ACC, Big East, Big 10, and Pac-12 Schools.

Thompson's team at Southfield HS is currently 8-3.  He caught 51 passes this season for 506 yards and seven touchdowns.  As a junior at East Detroit HS last season (he transferred after the school changed coaching staffs), Thompson caught 41 passes for 655 yards and 10 touchdowns.  Impressive numbers for a player who has only been playing organized football for two years.  Thompson's combination of inexperience and freak athletic talent fits Doug Marrone's recruiting mold.  Coach Marrone often goes into New York City to get similar players, although Thompson is no hidden secret, as evidenced by his impressive offer list.

After watching his highlight film, Thompson draws comparisons to other tight ends who did not break onto the scene with football backgrounds- Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez.  Both grew up as basketball players and became NFL stars because of their leaping and catching ability.  Thompson does not have blazing speed (4.7), but he can really jump and looks to have great hands.  He also looks to be a passable blocker at this point.

Thompson also plays in a rotation at defensive end for Southfield, where he's recorded 28 tackles (13 TFL), and four sacks.

Elsewhere, Stephenson HS's undefeated season comes to an end with a 50-49 loss to also undefeated MLK in the Region 2-AAAAA title game.  Josh Parris (TE, 6'3", 225) caught a touchdown pass in the game.

With starting Tottenville quarterback Brandon Barnes out with an injury, Alvin Cornelius (WR, 6'3", 190) was forced under center for some of the game against Magnet Camps.  Cornelius threw one pass, a 21 yard touchdown, ran seven times for 20 yards and a touchdown, and caught a pass for 17 yards.  He also had two key interceptions on defense.  Tottenville is now 8-1 after the 44-19 win.

Text doesn't quite do it justice, so click here to check out highlights from Winter Park's (8-3) ridiculous 28-25 win over Timber Spring.  #90 James Washington (OLB, 6'2", 220) had a key fumble recovery in the game. Winter Park forced a tie-breaker for their division crown, and would go on to finish second on the season.

Half Hollow Hills West dropped to 4-5 with a 27-24 loss to East Islip.  DeVante McFarlane (HB, 6'1", 195) only ran once for five yards, but was able to do some damage in the passing game, with five receptions for 93 yards.

Middletown closed its regular season out at 9-1 with a 32-25 win over Walkersville.  Ben Lewis (WR, 6'2", 185) had a monster game with nine receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns.  He had four tackles on defense, and returned two punts for 27 total yards.

Leroy Owens (OLB, 6'4", 210) continues to rack up tackles, and added 17 more against Matanzas last week.  Unfortunately Palatka continues their losing ways, and dropped to 1-8 with a 16-14 loss.

Darius Parson (OLB, 6'2", 215) had one of his best games in Woodbridge's (6-4) last game, a 21-14 win over Jackson.  Parson ran 20 times for 134 yards and all three Woodbridge touchdowns, as well as a two point conversion.  He also caught a pass for three yards, recorded 12 tackles on defense, and returned a kick for 19 yards.

As always, more scores after the jump...

Ashton Broyld, QB, 6'3", 225 lbs/Tyree Smallwood, HB, 5'10", 165 lbs, Milford Academy (New Berlin, NY) 12-0: