Running back on Ohio state champion drowns ....... Why Pa. and the Midwest aren't producing as many top players

By Mike White | Thursday, May 27, 2010, 10:40 a.m.

Sad story out of Columbus, Ohio. Rico Butler, a starting running back last season on Hilliard Davidson High School's state championship team, drowned Tuesday.

Although he was only 5 feet 7, Butler was expected to be one of the better running backs in Ohio next season. Jim Woods of the Columbus Dispatch has the story.

The Columbus Dispatch has another story from yesterday on how the school is dealing with the tragedy.

Not what it used to be

Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com has a good story on how high school football in the Midwest, and also Pennsylvania, isn't producing as many top college players. But there might be a simple reason: population. It's a good read with quotes from college and high school coaches.