NFL conference championships divide, unite high school programs

Cleveland is Browns' country. No question about that, say Glenville (Cleveland) coaches and administrators.

But come NFL postseason, especially one step short of the Super Bowl, these Tarblooders of the red and black turn a shade of 49ers' red and gold.

That's because San Francisco 49ers teammates — receiver and returner Ted Ginn and safety Donte Whitner — played together for Glenville in the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

The duo figure to play key roles Sunday when the 49ers travel to Atlanta in the NFC championship game.



"We're all pulling for the 49ers, there's no secret about that," said Glenville athletic director Andre Haynes.

At Central in Louisville (Ky.), the campus is utterly divided because two former Yellowjackets are going head-to-head in Atlanta.

Corey Peters is a backup defensive tackle for the Falcons and C.J. Spillman is a reserve safety for the 49ers. The two were teammates at Central in 2003.

"Either way we can't lose," said Central 31-year special education teacher Margaret Demaree. "Either way we're going to the Super Bowl."

They can't entirely lose or win at Union-Endicott (Endicott, N.Y.) High School or in the Jones family either. Ravens third-year defensive lineman Arthur Jones and Patriots rookie defensive end Chandler Jones are brothers.

"This is a great experience to play against my brother," Chandler Jones told CBS News. "(I'm) truly blessed and fortunate."



Arthur Jones said he's not going to lie: "It's personal. This game means a lot to me."

Many high schools and athletic teams throughout the country will watch the NFL with special interest this weekend, knowing their former athletes helped teams reach the pinnacle game.

Click 'Next' to read more.{PAGEBREAK}Something special In Cleveland at Glenville, longtime assistant coach Anthony Oveerton said Whitner and Ginn were probably the two hardest-working players he ever coached.

Combine that with their athleticism and it's no wonder why they reached the pinnacle.

"Everyone talks about how athletic those kids were — especially Ted — but man they put in the work," Oveerton said. "You can be sure we let our players know that. To see a couple our kids playing in the NFL and doing well and playing in the NFC championship game, it's remarkable. But it's not by accident."

Whitner was a starter for Glenville as a 5-foot-9, 122-pound sophomore. He was quiet and smart (3.7 grade point average) and for his size he hit like a brick.



He put on 40 pounds of muscle by the time he graduated, but Oveerton said he knew Glenville had something special in a first-round playoff game when Whitner was a sophomore.

"No kidding, he had 18 to 20 tackles in a single game," Oveerton said. "He was literally all over the field. He sacrificed his whole body and made tackle after tackle. I knew then we had something special."

Ginn, whose dad Ted Sr. is head coach at Glenville, was a year behind Whitner and more of a natural. He was quiet but versatile, playing quarterback, receiver and defensive back while specializing as a returner, just as he does for the 49ers.

He was named USA Today's Defensive Player of the Year his senior season in 2003 after intercepting eight passes, returning five for touchdowns, one for a state-record 102 yards and another for 98.

After football, he was one of the nation's top hurdlers in track and field, recording a time of 13.40 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles. He also had national marks in the open 200 (21.16), 300 hurdles (36.73) and 400 hurdles (46.57).

"He was just so dedicated to whatever he did," Oveerton said. "He was a great leader but not as vocal as Donte."



Whitner and Ginn joined forces in college at Ohio State and then again landed in San Francisco by 2011. Ginn, the No. 9 NFL draft pick in 2007, arrived in San Francisco from Miami. Whitner, the No. 8 pick in the 2006 draft, arrived after five seasons with the Bills.

Whitner earned a Pro Bowl spot in 2012.

Oveerton, a 1991 Glenville graduate, admits he's an avid Browns fans, but with so many former Tarblooders circulating in the NFL — five others are currently either on rosters or practice squads — his allegiance is watered down.

"My heart and favorite team goes to where they go," he said. "I want their lives to be as successful as possible."{PAGEBREAK}Win-win situation Same goes for Central coach Tyrran Scroggins, who didn't coach Corey Peters and C.J. Spillman, but roots for them whole-heartedly.

Scroggins took over at Central six seasons ago and the Yellowjackets have won five state titles.

"Life is very good around the Central community," he said. "With our success and C.J. and Corey doing so well, everyone is very excited about football around here."



It helps when the players come back and speak at the school. Spillman talked with the 2012 Central team during a 49ers bye week this season. He also paid for and delivered 200 Christmas dinners to needy families in the Louisville area.

According to Scroggins, Spillman spent most of his time with the Central team pushing and encouraging strong character issues.

"He talked about being accountable," Scroggins said. "He talked about doing the right thing. He said at his level football is a business, so take care of business now and the easier it gets."

Peters, a Kentucky graduate and standout, and Spillman, who played at Marshall, are good friends, said teacher Margaret Demaree, who is driving to Atlanta to attend the game.

She is close friends with Spillman's mother and sister and the three are taking the 7-hour drive on Saturday.

"Everyone is so excited for both of them," Demaree said. "It's a win-win situation for the school."{PAGEBREAK}Mommy's little smurf It's a win-lose at family gatherings for the Jones. Arthur Jones (6-3, 315) led Union-Endicott to a Section title his senior year in 2004. In 2007, Chandler (6-5, 260) led the Tigers to a 9-2 season and was one of the top 10 ranked players in New York.

Their parents, Arthur and Camille Jones of Endicott, N.Y., told CBS they will cheer for both sons.

Arthur Sr. said Sunday will be filled with a lot of adrenaline and pressure.



"It's like you're almost out there playing yourself," he said.

Camille Jones has nicknames for her sons — Chandler is "mommy's little smurf," and Arthur is "my little cuddly luddly bear."

You can bet those nicknames will make it to both locker rooms.

Evidently, mom has been using these cute nicknames for years. Arthur Jones has been pleading with his mom to stop with the cute nicknames since way back in high school.

"I always tease him," Camille Jones told CBS. "He'll say, ‘Mom, you can't call me a little cuddle baby, this is the season now. I am the thug! I am the thug!'.. I says, mom's cuddly wuggly thug!'"