Published on: Wednesday, August 18, 2010

By Brandy L. Simms

The Maryland Crab Bowl, an all-star football game that features the top seniors in the state competing head-to-head, has announced the head coaches and partial rosters for the 2010 game.

The third annual event is scheduled to be played in December at Bowie State University. Douglass head coach J.C. Pinkney will guide the Washington team and the Baltimore team will be coached by River Hill’s Brian Van Deusen.

“It’s an honor to be able to coach some of the top talent in the state,” said Pinkney. “It’s going to be a really good time.”

Pinkney will be assisted by several county coaches including Bill Johnson (Douglass), Eric Wade (Suitland) and Danny Hayes (Gwynn Park).

A trio of players from DeMatha have already been selected to play on the Washington team including Cyrus Kouandjio, Darian Cooper and Michael Branthover.

“Those three guys, they were no brainers,” said Pinkney. “They (DeMartha) have a lot of talent on their team year in and year out.”

Joshua Wade (Bladensburg), Najee Green (Gwynn Park) and DeAndre Smith (Wise) have also been chosen to play on the Washington team.

Pinkney said more players will be added to the roster in October.

Kouandjio, a 6-foot 7-inch, 295-pound offensive lineman, is one of the nation’s top college prospects. The five star recruit, who has received numerous scholarship offers from major college programs, has narrowed his list down to 11 schools including Alabama, Maryland, Pittsburgh and Iowa according to DeMatha head coach Bill McGregor.

“He can go anywhere in the country,” said McGregor. “He’s big, he’s strong, he’s very athletic.”

“He’s extremely good,” Pinkney said about Kouandjio. “We have some really talented players (on the roster).”