Can MC's speed overcome hard hitting Argonaut?

Speed or size. Elusive or aggressive. Hard to hit or hard-hitting. Which do you prefer?

They'll both be on display Friday, as Modesto Christian visits Argonaut in a battle between two of the Stanislaus District's top small schools.

The speed of safety Aaron Brown and quarterback Isaiah Burse set the tone for the No. 3 Crusaders (3-0), while No. 4 Argonaut (3-0) looks to dominant tight end-linebacker Zach Devaney and a grinding run game so set its tempo.

Moving Brown from cornerback to free safety has upgraded the defense, allowing him to attack like a linebacker on run plays and provide a last line of defense on pass plays.

"We're trying to be aggressive, going up and delivering the hit, rather than letting the ball come to us," he said.

These two met in one of the district's top games last year.

MC's Kevin Roya blocked a field goal attempt with five seconds left and returned it 83 yards for a TD, sealing MC's 50-42 win and capping its 30-point fourth quarter.

Argonaut coach Rick Davis can't imagine his team giving up 50 points again. The starting defense hasn't given up a TD, while allowing just four first downs in three games.

Devaney is crushing foes, and tackle Cole Breeden (6-2, 220) is a rock on the line. Cornerback Steven Bennett and linebacker P.J. Rubel are ballhawks, leaving the Crusaders few weaknesses to attack.

Both are expected to be in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 4B playoffs, and could meet again come November.

• RECRUIT WATCH — Modesto Christian quarterback Isaiah Burse is a top college recruit, but Brandon Huffman of Scout.com says he's not the district's only one. The West Coast Recruiting manager says Central Catholic center Matthew Galas and Manteca running back Marquis Miller are also on several lists.

"Galas is one of the top five centers on the West Coast. Not as big and nasty as Dominic (Galas), but few were, and he's right behind him," said Huffman, referring to Galas' brother, a redshirt freshman at Cal. "I think (Matthew) can play at a high level, depending on if a school wants a pure center, and not a converted tackle or guard.

"A guy I really like is Marquis Miller. Quick, but runs with punch. Over at Merced, Andrew Mendoza is a versatile athlete who I know Coach (Rob) Scheidt really likes."

• ON THE RECEIVING END — With all the attention given to Jason Lee's exploits — the Downey senior is No. 8 in the nation with 369 yards pass per game — the obvious question is who is he throwing to?

Javon Kelly has caught 25 of Lee's 69 completed passes for 456 yards and seven TDs, and is eighth in the state with 152 receiving yards per game. Corey Keller has 17 grabs for 305 yards, making it difficult for defenses to shift too much coverage to Kelly.

If not for Downey's prowess throwing the ball, this year's receiving star might be Beyer's Kaden Cline. He has 19 grabs for 386 yards, 129 yards per game, to go with five TDs.