The List

BELTWAY CONNECTION

The Fighting Illini's awful record (2--9) didn't prevent them from snagging one of the nation's best wide receivers. All they needed to land heavily recruited Arrelious Benn of Washington, D.C.'s Dunbar High was Mike Locksley, the offensive coordinator coach Ron Zook brought to Illinois last year. Locksley, a former Maryland assistant, is known as an ace recruiter of Beltway talent. Benn is the seventh player from that region to join the program since Locksley arrived.

PERSEVERANCE

Leading by 40 yards with 200 yards to go in the 5K race at the Class 2A state cross-country meet last Saturday, Guillermo Echarte, a Belen Jesuit ( Miami) junior, collapsed from dehydration. But he struggled to his feet, and despite falling twice more, finished 12th out of 180. Echarte (right) earned eight of the Wolverines' 82 points, giving them the state title.

WINGS CLIPPED

They came to Cleveland Browns Stadium last Saturday 9--1 and were billed as an offensive powerhouse, having racked up 296 points and 310 yards per game of total offense this season. But the St. Edward's Eagles were held to a single field goal by their cross- Cleveland rival Warren G. Harding and beaten 7--3 in the Division I regional semifinal. Harding faces Mentor in the Region 1 championship on Saturday.

DESERT FOX

Foothill High ( Henderson, Nev.) senior D'Angelo Jones set the state career rushing record last Thursday during a 55--26 loss to Canyon Springs. The 5'8", 200-pound Jones (left) gained 323 yards and scored three touchdowns to finish his career with 7,843 yards and 106 TDs.

Daily Coverage
For more high school news and rankings from RISE and Dave Krider's Primetime Performer of the Week, go to SI.com/highschool.