Thornton's Knowles, Bell a tough tandem

After overwhelming Hillcrest 55-0 last week and Urban Prep 56-6 Saturday afternoon, Thornton coach

Bill Mosel still is wondering how good his team really is.

But he is certain of two things. He encourages college coaches to take a

look at quarterback Charles Knowles and he describes Damien Bell "as good a

running back as anyone around."

Knowles and Bell lived up to Mosel's hype on Saturday at Gately Stadium.

Knowles passed for two touchdowns and Bell rushed 27 times for 130 yards and

two touchdowns as Thornton, leading only 14-6 in the second quarter, scored

four times within eight minutes of the second half to break away.

Mosel said his Wildcats, who failed to qualify for the state playoff in

two of the last three years, are "heading in the right direction" as

Knowles, who has a scholarship offer from Illinois as a wide receiver,

showed he has the qualities to be a big-time quarterback.

"I hope the colleges will look at me as a quarterback," the 6-4,

195-pound senior said. "I'll play whichever position they want me to. But I

like to play quarterback. I like to get the ball on every snap and I like to

be in a position to control the offense."

Mosel thinks Knowles deserves a look. "He understands the game. He has a

quick release and a strong arm. He was our backup last year but we watched

him on film and he kept getting better," said the 25-year coaching veteran.

Bell admits he is closer to being 5-7 and 165 pounds than his listed 5-9

and 175. But he describes himself as a "speedy power runner" and Mosel

marvels at his toughness, his ability to run hard and break tackles. And

Bell loves playing in Thornton's no-huddle offense.

"I'm not big but I'm quick enough to get around the corner," Bell said.

"This is a fast-paced offense that tires the defense. I want the ball as

often as I can get it."

In the first half, Knowles threw scoring passes of 13 yards to Dimitrius

Hardwick and 30 to Terrell Franklin. Urban Prep (0-2) closed to 14-6 on

Jabrice Reese's 65-yard interception return. But Thornton drove 65 and 83

yards behind Knowles and Jamal Towns to build a 28-6 halftime lead.

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