People-Jones, Parker, Johnson and Hall have a long history together

Eight years ago, Rodney Hall, Donovan Johnson, Donovan Parker and Donovan Peoples-Jones met on the Southfield Falcons’ practice field. Now they are finishing up their senior seasons on the Detroit Cass Tech football team as college recruits.

Playing together for so long certainly has its benefits. Their friendship gives them some chemistry — and maybe even a sixth sense.

“Like, if he gives me a look and it’s a certain play, you know he is about to throw the ball,” Parker said of Hall, Cass Tech’s quarterback.

The Technicians (12-0) are ranked No. 1 in the state heading into their Division 1 state semifinal against Utica Eisenhower (12-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Troy Athens.

Hall and Peoples-Jones will graduate in December, in order to enroll early in college. Hall is verbally committed to Northern Illinois. Peoples-Jones is one of the most sought recruits in the country, rated a five-star wide receiver by rivals.com, and is considering Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Florida and Florida State.

“I’ve always had an innate passion for football,” Peoples-Jones said. “I have a picture of when I was 2 years old, holding a football and wearing a football jersey. One time, my friend had a flyer for tackle football with the Southfield Ravens. I can remember getting so excited that I took the flyer, ran home and showed my mom. A few months later, I tried out for the team, and that was my first season of tackle football, at age 5.”

Parker and Johnson also are still deciding where they will attend next fall.

“I’m talking to a couple of schools right now, Southern Illinois and Saginaw Valley State University,” Parker said.

“I’m choosing between Penn State and Virginia Tech,” said Johnson, a four-star prospect.