Offspring of famous athletes poised for late-season showdowns.
The Minnesota Vikings’ trip to Green Bay this weekend isn’t the only prominent storyline featuring a Favre lining up behind center this weekend.
At the high school level, Brett Favre's nephew Dylan Favre leads St. Stanislaus (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) against Purvis (Miss.) for the region 8-4A championship tonight in a regular-season finale.
Not only has the younger 5-foot-11, 195-pound Favre guided St. Stanislaus to an 8-1 record, he’s also set several state records including career yardage (now at 10,130), career touchdown passes (118) and single-game yardage (560 in a 50-7 win over Mendenhall).
Last week, he completed 19 of 26 for 508 yards and eight touchdowns in a 69-7 win over Pass Christian, giving him season totals of 188-for-307, 3,116 yards, 37 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He’s trying to break his own state mark of 45 touchdown passes he set last season.
Dylan ranks fourth nationally in passing yards.
His high school career dwarfs that of his uncle, who’s tenure at the helm of Hancock North Central (Hancock County, Miss.) was unremarkable.
Purvis may not be as formidable a foe as the Green Bay Packers, but the Tornadoes will present a challenge to St. Stanislaus. Prior to a setback last week to Forest County Agricultural (Brooklyn, Miss.), Purvis had won six straight games. Currently trailing St. Stanislaus in the standing by one game, a win tonight would give Purvis claim to the 8-4A title.
Dylan Favre isn’t the only star high school athletic with a prominent progenitor taking the field this weekend. Here are three more celebrity relatives playing in high-stakes games:
Oaks Christian (Calif. ) quarterback Nick Montana.
Juliann Tallino
Nick Montana, QB, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
The youngest son of 49ers legend Joe Montana, Nick has etched out a name for himself in his second season at the helm of the Oaks Christian offense. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior has thrown for over 1,100 yards and has found the end zone 17 times.
While the Lions are heavy favorites tonight against Oak Park, any slip up would be a crushing blow to Oaks Christian’s Bowl Game hopes. Montana will need to bring his A-game each Friday night for the Lions, No. 5 in the Xcellent 25 Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.
The Lions also feature Trey Smith and Trevor Gretzky, sons of Will Smith and Wayne Gretzky, creating an all-out celebrity affair.
Barry Sanders, RB, Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
It’s hard to remain unknown when you play running back and your name is Barry Sanders. It’s even harder to not be thrust into the limelight when you have one of the most impressive freshman highlight tapes ever.
Thus Barry Sanders, son of the former Detroit Lions mega star, has nearly become a household name as only a sophomore, after leading Heritage Hall to an undefeated, state championship season in Oklahoma’s 2A.
The start of the 2009 season presented new challenges to Sanders, however, as Heritage Hall dropped its first three games. Since then, the Chargers have won five straight and battle with 6-2 Marshall tonight.
Sanders will carry the load as he’s done for much of the season, with 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. If he gets going tonight, it could be a critical win for the defending state champs.
Steve McNair Jr., WR, Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
While his late father was an excellent signal caller who once led his team to a Super Bowl, Steve McNair Jr. excelled at wide receiver last season, making Oak Grove a trendy 6A state finalist pick.
While McNair has had another strong season in 2009, Oak Grove (6-2) has already equaled its loss total from last season and is in danger of missing out on the playoffs. Tonight’s game against Brandon should have the intensity of a playoff contest.
The Warriors were 12-2 last season and eliminated from the 5A playoffs by Meridian, a defeat they avenged two weeks ago with a 28-21 victory. Both losses this season have come in region 3-6A play. Brandon also has two losses in regional play, so the loser of tonight’s game will likely not make the postseason.
McNair, the team’s leader in touchdown receptions, also leads a strong receiving trio. Robert Johnson and Jonathan Duncan have combined for over 800 yards between them. If the trio can produce tonight, it will give breathe new life into Oak Grove’s state title hopes.
