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Marcus Mason was the best anyone had ever seen, long before he became the premier running back in Maryland state history.

"I remember him in Pee Wee football, it must have been about 15 years ago," said Clarksburg football coach Larry Hurd, then coaching in the Capital Beltway League. "We were at Alta Vista Park and he played for Maplewood. He took a handoff down the right sidelines and was just gone."

Fast forward to 2009, and the Potomac native is still running, not far from his old stomping grounds. An undrafted free agent out of college, Mason — in his third try — finally cracked the Washington Redskins' active roster this fall, and has begun to get consistent playing time.

But it is at Georgetown Prep where the first memories were formed. A 5-foot-9 ball of excitement from the moment he stepped on campus, Mason is the only player this decade to make four All-Gazette football teams. By the end of the 2002 season, he had set state records for rushing yards (5,620), touchdowns (86), and points scored (520).

"He did natural things you just can't teach," said Little Hoyas head coach Dan Paro. "And from his very first to his last touchdown, and he scored enough for God's sake, he'd just hand it to the officials. He was always very humble, just really endearing. You just knew great things would happen."

QB Deontay Twyman, Sherwood '07

One of best in county history; records for passing yards (7,062) and TDs (80), played in two state championship games.

RB Eddie Beccles, Sherwood '01

All-around athlete rushed for 41 touchdowns in last two years; went on to solid career at Kent State.

WR Drew Gloster, Good Counsel '06

Currently a linebacker at Maryland, a load in space as prep star, grabbing 6 TDs in 2005.

WR Rice Moss, Georgetown Prep '04

Second cousin to Randy — same last name — played like him: 13 TDs as senior, Syracuse scholarship.

TE David Jones, Springbrook '01

Played prominent role in LSU's 2003 national championship; three-time first teamer was unstoppable beforehand.

OL Tony Edwards, Damascus '08

Flat-out the best center of decade; made three first teams, started on two state championship squads.

OL Nick Jenkins, Good Counsel '07

Two-way first teamer in 2006 unstoppable for WCAC runners-up; current starting nose tackle at Virginia.

OL Zach Kerr, Quince Orchard '08

Defensive lineman at Maryland, but used heavily on offense during Cougars' state-title run in 2007.

OL Andrew Phillips, Georgetown Prep '06

Dominant at Prep, just as good at Stanford; two-year starter whose name could be called on draft day.

OL Jon Walko, Seneca Valley '05

Two-time first teamer was already huge (6-6, nearly 300 pounds) before playing days at West Virginia.

All-Around Melvin Harris, Kennedy '08

Almost single-handedly revitalized formerly moribund football program; two-time Player of the Year.

K Paul Potemra, Bullis '06

Dual-sport star (first-team in football, soccer in 2005) set kicking records at Bemidji State (Minn.).

DL Andre Smith, Seneca Valley '06

Played through injuries, racked up 13 TFLs as senior; now pass-catching tight end at Virginia Tech.

DL Sean Stanley, Gaithersburg '09

Phenomenal athlete for his size; two-time first teamer earned regular playing time as Penn State freshman.

DL Cory Boatman, Good Counsel '08

Two-time first teamer anchored middle for Falcons; now sophomore defensive tackle at Syracuse.

LB Akeem Hebron, Good Counsel '06

Before Jenkins, there was Hebron, racking up 100-plus tackles for three straight years.

LB Jelani Jenkins, Good Counsel '09

Top-ranked recruit in county history; 2008 Player of the Year, now playing at Florida, was one of a kind.

LB Pat Lazear, Wheaton '07

Four-year starter was devastating hitter; junior led West Virginia with 73 tackles in regular season.

LB Bani Gbadyu, Quince Orchard '06

First teamer in 2005 played both ways despite injuries; now starts at Penn State, a.k.a. "Linebacker U."

DB Tanard Jackson, Bullis '03

Has started every game of NFL career (Tampa Bay). In high school? Let's just say he wasn't tested much.

DB Joe Lefeged, Northwest '07

Played all over field in high school, now is all over field at Rutgers; check out his YouTube clips.

DB Anwar Phillips, Northwest '01

Superhuman before Penn State, NFL careers; awesome 12 TD catches, 10 INTs as senior in 2000 season.

DB Matt Reidy, Damascus '05

State-title winning junior year was stuff of legend; all-around dynamo playing DB at Virginia Tech.

P Nick Englehart, Walter Johnson '02

Senior resumé speaks for itself: averaged 49.5 yards per punt, with five kicks traveling over 60 yards.