Catching up with the top area high school football players entering 2009:

Rushel Shell

Hopewell

Height: 5-11 Weight: 215

Position: RB/DB

Year: Sophomore

• THE SKINNY: A year ago, Shell had one of the best seasons of any freshman running back in WPIAL history when he rushed for 1,576 yards on 181 carries and had three consecutive 200-yard games. He is quick, cuts well and is very strong. His body doesn't look like that of a 15-year-old sophomore. Although Shell's forte is offense, he also will play defense this season at cornerback or safety.

• COLLEGE TALK: Pitt offered him a scholarship last year as a freshman. A number of major colleges already are showing interest in him.

• ARE YOU STRONGER THIS YEAR? I don't lift weights that much, but I'm stronger. I just do mostly pushups and pullups.

• HOW IS LIFE DIFFERENT FOR YOU THAN A YEAR AGO, WHEN NO ONE KNEW YOU OUTSIDE OF HOPEWELL? Everything I do seems like it's magnified now. I have to watch what I do and make sure it's the right thing. It's just more stressful than I expected. I'm still only 15 years old, but let's say I go to a party. It seems like everyone knows and then they'll make stuff up about me. Last year, if I went to a party, no one would care.

• WHERE CAN YOU IMPROVE FROM LAST YEAR? In everything. You can never be perfect in anything you do. The more you practice, the better you get.

• DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS? I want the team to go further than last year -- and I want to play better than last year.

• DO YOU EVER WORRY ABOUT SOMEDAY GETTING TOO BIG TO BE A HALFBACK? That's not really a worry. To be honest, I never really thought about it.

• YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH ... Terrelle Pryor. I don't know, but he's kind of like an idol to me.

• IF YOU'RE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, YOU'D LIKE TO BE WITH ... Kim Kardashian.

• PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT ... I watch Hannah Montana.

-- By Mike White