Little Rivers is turning heads

Little Steve Rivers is huge: Stephen Rivers, the younger brother of former N.C. State and Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers, is turning a lot of heads at Athens (Ala.) High.

The junior quarterback is 6 feet 7 and 210 pounds and threw for 2,100 yards last season on a 7-4 team. He has written offers from UCLA, Arizona State, Stanford, Tennessee, Mississippi State, South Alabama and N.C. State.

On a related note, Stephen visited older brother Philip recently during spring break. They drove up together to visit the UCLA Campus.

"At this stage in their development, there is no comparison between Steve and Philip as quarterbacks. Stephen is way ahead," Athens coach Allen Creasy said. "Stephen has been our quarterback for two years. Phillip was a linebacker as a sophomore. Stephen is bigger and faster.

"And a big thing is that when Philip was here, we'd throw maybe 10 times a game. We'll throw it 25-30 times a game now. Stephen is ahead in reading defenses, and he can throw it and hit a postage stamp."

Steve Rivers, the boys' dad and former Raleigh Wakefield High coach, is an assistant coach at Athens High and coaches the quarterbacks. He also brings in a certain star quarterback on occasion, too.

"You don't know how Stephen is going to develop. Philip certainly got a lot better, but Stephen is really an outstanding prospect," Creasy said.