PREP FOOTBALL Mega-yardage runner for Mars coach's delight

Philadelphia West Catholic's Curtis Brinkley is the fourth player in city history to rush for 4,000 yards.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Most high school football coaches are pleased when a running back gains 100 yards in a game. For Mars coach Scott Heinauer, that's not a big deal.
Heinauer admits he is spoiled by senior Brad Mueller, who has rushed 70 times for 1,035 yards in his last three games.
Mueller gained 345 yards on 25 carries last week against Deer Lakes. He gained 403 yards against Apollo-Ridge on Oct. 11 and 287 yards against North Catholic the following week.
"Brad rushes for 175 yards and it's like it's no big thing," Heinauer said. "I don't know, but the 1,000 yards in three games has to be some kind of record."
Speed big asset
Speed separates Mueller from most high school running backs. He was the PIAA Class AA 100-meter dash champion last spring, winning in 10.65 seconds.
The 6-foot, 175-pound Mueller had rushed for 1,696 yards on 190 carries going into Friday's WPIAL AA playoff game at Riverside, which Mars won 41-7.
Last season, Mueller rushed for 1,216 yards on 162 carries.
Because of Mueller's speed, Division I recruiters are looking at him as a defensive back or receiver. His coach wonders if they might be making a mistake.
"His first three steps are amazing and after that he's going full speed," Heinauer said. "The game is all about speed and I know holes in college close down faster than they do in high school, but he's got the speed to get there and get through the line.
"Plus, I think he'll get bigger. His brother, Brandon, plays at Princeton and he's 190 pounds. I think Brad might be able to get to that."
Join the club
Philadelphia West Catholic running back Curtis Brinkley is the fourth player in city history to rush for 4,000 yards.
A 5-10, 175-pound junior with senior eligibility, Brinkley has carried 572 times for 4,243 yards and scored 39 touchdowns.
This season, he has rushed for 1,937 yards and is the school's single-season leader. He is the only player in city history to twice rush for more than 300 yards in a game.
Rockets man
Perry's Kareem Ferguson has verbally committed to play at Toledo.
A 6-2, 220-pound inside linebacker, Ferguson selected Toledo over Akron. He has been a key member of the Commodores defense that did not allow a point in nine regular-season games in the Pittsburgh City League.
Headed south
Monessen's A.J. Jackson, a 6-6 standout on the Greyhounds' basketball team, has given East Tennessee State a verbal commitment.
Jackson has scored 1,193 career points and needs 318 more to become Monessen's all-time scorer. He selected East Tennessee State over Robert Morris.
Jackson has helped Monessen to consecutive District 7 Class A titles.
Oakland Catholic to the pros?
Suzie McConnell Serio, who has coached the Oakland Catholic girls basketball team to two PIAA Class AAAA championships and four District 7 titles, may coach in the WNBA.
McConnell Serio, who played in the WNBA with the Cleveland Rockers, was contacted about coaching the Minnesota Lynx. She will have a phone interview this week.
Because the WNBA plays in the summer, McConnell Serio will remain as Oakland Catholic's coach this season no matter what happens with the Lynx.