Look for dynamic runs in AAA City title game

WHEN JARRETT McClenton was around 7 or 8 years old he was no stranger to great running-back play.

Long before he shared Daily News Player of the Year last season, McClenton, now a senior at Archbishop Wood, watched his older brother, Jeff, play football at Conwell-Egan.

Jeff was a speedy wideout and safety in his own right, but Steve Slaton was the burner in the backfield.

"He could always make the big run because he had breakaway speed," said Jarrett, who is 5-8 and weighs 165 pounds, "but he was also very physical when he ran the ball."

Slaton, who starred at West Virginia, was drafted by the Houston Texans and currently plays in Canada (Toronto Argonauts), owns 5,998 career rushing yards, second-best in Catholic League history (West Catholic's Curtis Brinkley graduated with 6,528 in 2003).

"He was very fast," said Jeff, a 2005 Egan grad, "a little bit bigger, but extremely fast. He was really quick and made a lot of cuts, which is similar to my brother. But Steve definitely had a little more power being a lot bigger."

For his career, Jarrett, who also runs track at Wood (10-1, 4-0), owns 3,743 yards and 59 ground tallies. Add two more via kickoff, five from punt returns, two off receptions and one courtesy a pick-six.

That's 69 total TDs.

However, perhaps most astonishing is that the Villanova-bound McClenton has amassed his yardage on just 358 totes for a 10.4-yard per-carry average.

"You have to make the right cut because if you make the wrong one you can end up next to somebody who'll tackle you," he said. "But, if you set up a block that'll spring you, that's a long run.

"It's more like instinct. I kind of react to how stuff goes and how the play is developing."

Tomorrow against Imhotep Charter (10-1, 6-0), dynamic running backs could figure prominently in the AAA City title game at Northeast High.

The Panthers have been led on the ground by 5-10, 184-pound, quick-strike artist Tyliek Raynor. In just two seasons, the junior running back owns 2,194 yards and 29 TDs. And, like McClenton, Raynor's career yards-per-carry average impresses at 11.1.

Interestingly, McClenton could find out what it's like to tackle someone as slippery as himself when he lines up at defensive back.

"Just break down, mirror his steps and then I guess let him choose the side he wants to go and then hit him, tackle him," he said.

A foot race between the two, if it materializes, would be must-see. But between the brothers McClenton, the stopwatch already tells the tale . . . at least according to Jeff.

"I'll take that edge until he runs a faster time than me in track," big brother joked.

Jeff said he won the Catholic League championship in the 100 and 200 meters during his senior season at C-E. He reported times of 10.9 and 22.1, respectively. Jarrett has t

opped out at 11.1 and 22.4.

Jokes aside, Jeff, an East Stroudsburg graduate, still remembers driving his "shy, not very talkative" little brother all around. Even during Jarrett's earliest football days.

"Myself and my entire family are extremely proud of Jarrett," Jeff said. "He's worked really hard on the field, off the field, weight room. I've been watching him play football his entire life even back when he was playing flag football at 2 years old."