equired to get into the glistening building on 2nd Avenue -- and stay there. Technicians also must choose a specific academic program, which determines th

DETROIT -- Past the kid with the head-to-toe Michigan gear, up the stairs that lead to a banner on the left urging students to come to Ann Arbor and back to the office in the weight room, theres a coach with championship rings featuring a Block M on both hands.In the beating downtown heart of Detroit sits Cass Technical High School, a program that has become something of a breeding ground for the most storied rivalry in college football. But despite all those ties to one side of the feud, including the coach churning out all the talent, there will be almost as many Technicians in Ohio State jerseys as Michigan ones in The Game on Saturday, in a matchup that will have Thomas Wilchers fingerprints all over it.I mean, its not about the rivalry for me, Wilcher said in his cramped, trophy-stocked office. Its all about the best interest of the child. You have to always keep the child first because if the child is not first, then who is? I cant be first. Im not going to college. Ive already been to college. Its about him.The only belief I have is that I like to have kids stay at home so their parents can see them play. If you dont have a school here in the state of Michigan, lets go out there and travel the country and find that bad boy for you so you can be happy.Former Cass Tech standouts?Jourdan Lewis, David Dawson, Delano Hill?and?Michael Onwenu stayed in-state and now play for Michigan. But it turns out theres a place across the states southern border and about three hours south of Detroit that is making a few of Wilchers former stars happy. With Mike Weber and Damon Webb both playing prominent roles and a third high school teammate, Joshua Alabi, on the bench for the Buckeyes, one of the preeminent college-preparatory schools in Michigan is becoming a key factor in Ohio States run to the playoff.Saturdays game isnt the only high-stakes battle between Michigan and Ohio State. ESPN 300 wide receiver?Donovan Peoples-Jones, who hauled in a game-winning touchdown Saturday in the state semifinals to set up a date in the championship, which will kick off one hour after The Game starts, is a recruiting priority for both the Buckeyes and Wolverines. But if the top-ranked player in the state of Michigan feels any heat from being thrust into the middle of the rivalry, he doesnt show it.I dont really feel pressure because I know guys that I have played with who go to both schools, Peoples-Jones said. I love watching my teammates, and I want the players that I know to do well, but as far as teams, nah, I dont pay attention to that.I want them all to have a good game. Unfortunately, one team has to lose, but Im not at all paying any attention to that. Im paying attention to my guys. Im happy for them, respect them and want to see them have success. Weve got guys from Cass Tech who have gone everywhere.The bulletin board behind Wilchers desk and the framed photos scattered throughout the office prove it. They show uniforms from dozens of schools around the Midwest, further validating Cass Techs place as one of the top college-preparatory schools in Michigan.As true as that is on the football field, it might go double in the classroom. High test scores and a solid GPA are required to get into the glistening building on 2nd Avenue -- and stay there. Technicians also must choose a specific academic program, which determines their course load. That combined academic and athletic experience is a significant reason Wilchers office is so popular on the recruiting trail. Cass Tech is essentially producing ready-made college athletes, and considering the standards at Ohio State and Michigan, that has turned the school into yet another battleground in a never-ending feud.Yeah, at first I thought it was kind of like an airport down here, recent Michigan commit Jaylen Kelly-Powell said. But really at our program, our players put in, our coaches put in, everybody all puts in 100 percent to what were doing. Thats how we get better, really: great coaches, great football, great academics. Best of all worlds.Coach Wilcher, he just wants the best for us, no matter what. Wherever you go, hell support you. If something about a situation doesnt feel right, hell say his opinion. But hell get the details about whats going on, and hes always looking out for everybody.There is a priority for Wilcher, though, and he doesnt even bother hiding it.A former track star with the Wolverines who won an indoor national championship as a hurdler, a running back who helped them win the 1986 Big Ten title and a former teammate of Jim Harbaughs, Wilcher has a rooting interest when it comes to The Game. But he will also speak glowingly of Michigan State, praise Western Michigan and rattle off all the other places within the state border that could offer his players a chance to stay close to home and represent a state he clearly cares deeply about.If that doesnt work out, then those frequent visits from Ohio States coaching staff can become a larger part of the conversation.I feel like he knows the best interest for all his players when it comes to getting all the potential out of you, pushing you to work hard, Weber said. Winning, sending good players to good schools, I think hell probably end up going to the high school hall of fame in Michigan.Hes a good coach, and I still talk to him to this day. He still calls me and gives me advice about how I can play and what I can do differently. He never really settled. You can break off an 80-yard run, and hell find something you didnt do right or you could have done better. He sees the potential and gets it out of you.The current Technicians wont be watching the Wolverines try to snap their four-game losing streak in the series and stay in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. Theyll be focused on their own playoff game. Wilcher, obviously, wont be keeping tabs from his sideline on the coach he met when he was a 17-year-old star athlete himself.But there is an outcome that would make the high school epicenter of the rivalry proud, and its more about the players than the teams -- well, mostly.I think its good to have Michigan and Ohio State back at the top fighting like they used to because it always came down to that final Saturday, baby, Wilcher said. It always came down to that game, and its just right back at it again. Its a real good thing to see them going at it.But, you know, you just kind of root for the players, root for [Cass Tech], and thats it. I want Mike to do well, I want Damon to do well -- but I do want a Michigan win.No matter what happens, both schools figure to be right back in Wilchers office looking to reload with Technicians for the next time. Clearance Vans Schuhe Schweiz . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Vans Schuhe Schweiz Sale . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. http://www.vansschweiz.ch/ . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Vans Schuhe Schweiz Outlet . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Vans Schuhe Schweiz . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead.Who are the top offensive players in the 2016 NFL Draft? Alex Ferguson has the answers. You should be warned: this is not in order… Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State) Carson Wentz #11 fights to recover a fumble People want to name Jared Goff as the No 1 player coming out of this draft, but I prefer Wentz. In the NFL, I think hell make less mistakes than Goff will. I cant help but think back to Goffs record in college - especially the game in which he threw five INTs in a game. It was one of the ugliest games Ive ever seen. Laremy Tunsil (OT, Ole Miss) Laremy Tunsil participates in a drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine Tunsil was fantastic in his career at Ole Miss - although he had to be left out for almost half of his final season after an investigation by the NCAA. At 65, 310lb hes got all the physical attributes, and hes excelled in one of college footballs most difficult environments.Jared Goff (QB, California) Jared Goff drops back to pass The Eagles have already got Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel - and paid a pretty penny for both, so why are they likely to take either Goff or Wentz? I simply dont know. Frankly, I would store up their offensive line with a terrific offensive linesman like Tunsil.Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State) Ezekiel Elliott storms into the endzone Theres no question about this: If Elliotts behind a good offensive line, hell flourish, and probably get the offensive rookie of the year award. So thats why he should go to Dallas. Hes burning quick, highly elusive, and hes been compared to Edgerrin James. A team drafting him would take that. My big worry for him is that if he doesnt get the ball, he might throw his toys out of the pram, as he did against Michigan State when he blamed his head coach Urban Meyer about not getting the ball enough.Laquon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss) Laquon Treadwell celebrates a touchdown Treadwell was one the best pass catchers in college football. His ability to go and get the ball is out of this world, and hell crush opposing secondary players. He might not be the quickest player in the Draft, but hes seen by US media pundits as a bigger and faster version of Anquan Boldin. Treadwell will hope for Boldins career earnings and longevity, too ($37 million over 13 years). Dara Kennedy spoke to running back Marshaun Coprich over a pizza to find out which teams might like a slice of him Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State) Jack Conklin #74 in a physical battle Loved for his versatility, if Conklin gets drafted in the first round itll be one of the best stories of the first round.ddddddddddddWhy? He wasnt even awarded a scholarship at Michigan State at first, but walked on to play. And when he succeeded, he received a scholarship, but has remained very humble indeed. Playing-wise, the last time I really got to see him was owning members of the Ohio State defensive line on the road in one of the biggest games of the year.Josh Doctson (WR, TCU) Josh Doctson dives for a touchdown pass Before he got injured at Texas Christian, Doctson was a human highlight reel, catching just about anything you threw at him. It was like watching Allen Robinson - except the quarterback was probably better! Seriously, hell be a wunderkind in a good offensive situation!Will Fuller (WR, Notre Dame) William Fuller #7 prepares to catch a pass As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan already missing No 2 receiver Martavis Bryant, I hope that they get Fuller because hes got the outright speed to make him a huge threat. Seriously, Fuller was able to catch up with anything at Notre Dame, and although he might have some of his detractors, but hes a really good pass catcher.Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame) Ronnie Stanley #78 blocks Big offensive linesman. Should be good for shoring up a team at the next level.Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama) President Barack Obama strikes the Heisman pose with Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry Henry ran behind an excellent offensive line and took home the Heisman Trophy, given out to college footballs best player last year. Give him the room to accelerate, and hell be one of the NFLs most powerful runners. Trust me, weve seen him in the flesh - its scary viewing. Hes going to be one of the under-the-radar draft picks thats going to serve a team nicely. Also See: NFL Video Rookies guide NFL on Sky Sports Pundits ' ' '