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This year's Maryland Crab Bowl has a different feel to it.

The inaugural all-star football game was billed as a showcase last December, with unparalleled talent representing every area of the state for the first time since the last Super 44 All-Star Game in 2004.

Its encore figures to be even more important.

This year's 92 players from the Washington and Baltimore teams have more to prove. The names will not be as well-known entering Saturday's matchup, nor is the list of Division I college commits — over 35 by game-time last year — nearly as long. But plenty of scouts will be on hand at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium, which equals more opportunity to get noticed.

Whether they want to admit it or not.

"I don't think it's to impress anyone; people are going to have offers and it's not like they're going to take them away from you," said Springbrook's Mitchell Pollard. "But if you do kill ... then colleges might be like, ‘Hey.'"

The electric Blue Devils athlete is one of 22 Montgomery County representatives who will suit up, only four of whom have made college commitments. All four are from Good Counsel: Louis Young (Stanford University, Calif.), Frank Tamakloe (Wisconson), E.J. Scott (Virginia) and Troy Gloster (West Virginia).

For most of the rest, mum's the word ... for now. Pollard would not say where he is looking, or whom is looking at him. Neither would Paint Branch's Ivan Tagoe, a 6-foot, 200-pounder who, like Pollard, is a three-year starter.

Tagoe was the county's leading receiver this year, and showed equal impact at linebacker.

"For me," he said, "it's to show you can play with all the best players in the state."

Quince Orchard's Tyler Magill watched the debut game a year ago, as older brother Cody — now at the University of Delaware — joined teammates Jason Ankrah (Nebraska), Travis Hawkins (Maryland) and Terrence Stephens (Stanford) in the Washington team's 32-21 victory.

Unlike his big brother, the younger Magill will not have his football destination decided before the game.

"You definitely want to impress some of the coaches that haven't seen you yet, so it is a big opportunity," he said. "Plus, playing with a bunch of the other kids from around the county, other schools like Good Counsel and all that, is going to be fun."

Picks of the litter

-Saturday, Dec. 19, 1 p.m.

-Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson University

A.J. Bowman (Good Counsel)

Matt Bracho (Quince Orchard)

Ndubisi Ezekoye (Kennedy)

Patrick Garland (Sherwood)

Troy Gloster (Good Counsel)

Greg Grant (Sherwood)

Karim Jones (Quince Orchard)

Brian Lucas (Damascus)

Tyler Magill (Quince Orchard)

Axel Ofori (Gaithersburg)

Oliver Pettenati (Sherwood)

Paul Phillips (Georgetown Prep)

Chris Pitsenberger (Good Counsel)

Mitchell Pollard (Springbrook)

E.J Scott (Good Counsel)

Greg Stanton (Damascus)

Ivan Tagoe (Paint Branch)

Frank Tamakloe (Good Counsel)

Andrew Veith (Clarksburg)

Oswaldo Velasquez (Magruder)

Ray Vernet (Springbrook)

Louis Young (Good Counsel)