Wide receivers are arguably the most skilled and most athletic players on the football field. When they get their hands on the ball, they can break a game wide open.

Tight ends are also skilled, but bigger. They sometimes have to come up with a key block right on the line or run a pass pattern. Or even both on the same play. They are not only a large target for the quarterback, but also tough for defenses to bring down, often running over defenders along the way.

Although most high school offenses are run-oriented, some coaches have a different philosophy, especially with the talented players they have at the receiver positions. Here are three area wide receivers and two tight ends to watch this season:

PARIS JACKSON

Westfield (6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Sr.)

Jackson is the top returning receiver in the Northern Region. He caught 40 passes for 530 yards and 11 touchdowns during his junior season, and will certainly be the main target for quarterback Sean Glennon.

``He's a playmaker," Bulldogs coach Tom Verbanic said of Jackson. ``When he gets in the open field, he's dangerous."

Annandale found that out the hard way during a game early last season at Westfield. Jackson hauled in 11 passes for 97 yards and four touchdowns in a five-overtime loss to the Atoms. He also returned a kickoff 83 yards for a score. Even triple-teams and interference calls couldn't keep Jackson from making what were at times highlight-reel catches.

``Annandale was doing everything they could," Verbanic said. ``I've never seen anything like it." Jackson will again return punts and kick this season, also making him a threat on special teams. Jackson returned two kickoffs and one punt for scores last season.

Verbanic says with a player like Jackson, who has drawn interest from Virginia, Maryland, Marshall and several Division I-AA schools, his offense can be more balanced. The Bulldogs may even throw more than run.

``We have the luxury to spread things out with Paris," Verbanic said. ``He is very competitive and runs his routes well."

Verbanic knows that defenses will key on Jackson, but doesn't rule out another performance like the one against Annandale.

``It will be hard to do that again," Verbanic said, ``but with the type of player he is, he can do it. We will find ways to get him the ball."

DANIEL BAILEY

Centreville (5-6, 150, Jr.)

The Wildcats only averaged four pass attempts a game last season, but Bailey was one the main options for the Northern Region runners-up.

Bailey caught 17 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns in an offense that rarely put the ball in the air. He had 120 receiving yards in a win over Chantilly last season.

Bailey may not be the biggest player on the field, but defenses better know where he is at all times. Bailey is the fastest player in the region, winning the Northern Region 100 meter dash title with a remarkable time of 10.90 seconds. He also placed fourth in the 55 meter dash at the indoor state meet last season.

``[Bailey] may be the third of fourth fastest in the state," Wildcats coach Mike Skinner said. ``He's the fastest we've had in my eight years coaching here. We've had speed guys, but he's the fastest of the fast."

``He's not a track guy, he's a football player."

Skinner said Bailey has great hands and will also be a factor on special teams. He will also line up at the wing position when the Wildcats run a one-back set.

``He will definitely be involved in the offense," Skinner said. ``Hopefully, we'll get him the ball 12 to 15 times a game."

JOHN KINZER

Robinson (6-3, 255, Sr.)

What will Kinzer receive more this season, footballs or scholarship offers?

Kinzer, an All-Journal selection, has already been offered scholarships from Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Ohio State and Penn State, just to name a few. Why not? He was named first-team All-State last season and will do just about everything on offense except throw.

``He is a devastating blocker and a tremendous pass catcher," Rams coach Mark Bendorf said. ``He is prototype tight end who is skilled enough to be a receiver."

Kinzer bench presses an impressive 375 pounds, which is only 25 pounds shy of Maryland's school record for tight ends.

Kinzer will be rarely be off the field. He will play end defensively, as well as handle punts and kicks. Skinner says Kinzer will once again be a key component in the Rams offense.

``A tight end of his ability is very hard to find," Bendorf said. ``He will be a very integral part in our offense."

JUSTIN BELL

Mount Vernon (6-3, 240, Sr.)

Entering his sophomore season, basketball was Bell's top priority athletically. In fact, he didn't join the football team until September of that year.

Bell's roles are now reversed - football first, basketball second. The senior has received scholarship offers from Virginia Tech, Marshall, Boston College, Pittsburgh and Northwestern, while Maryland and Virginia are expected to make an offer.

``I told him he had he potential to be a Division I player," Majors coach Jody Stone said. ``He didn't believe me, but I think he does now."

Bell caught 12 passes for 178 yards and six touchdowns in his junior season, and Stone said Bell will be the focus of the offense.

``He presents an interesting problem for defenses," Stone said. ``He runs as well as the defensive backs, but is bigger. He has a `My ball' attitude."

Stone said Bell has great feet and hands and runs the 40 yard dash in 4.7 seconds. Because of basketball, Bell doesn't spend as much time in the weight room, however, Stone said Bell lifted more over past the summer, and squats 500 pounds. Bell is also the National District champ in the shot put and discus.

``He has tremendous lower body strength," Stone said. ``He is now a football player who plays basketball, not a basketball player who plays football."

THOMAS FAWEHINMI

Falls Church

Fawehinmi was third in the Northern Region last season in receptions, grabbing 38 passes for 677 yards and five touchdowns. He is second among the returning receivers this season and the senior will be tough to contain in the National District.

Fawehinmi showed what he could do in several games during the 2001 campaign. In Falls Church's 40-6 win over Stuart, Fawehinmi caught touchdown passes of 33 and 49 yards. Then in the second half, he hauled in a 73-yard reception from quarterback Chris Carrasquillo. Fawehinmi finished the contest with only four catches, but racked up 174 yards (43.5 per catch) and three touchdowns.

Even in defeat, Fawehinmi proved hard to contain. Against Edison last season - a game the Jaguars lost, 35-13, the standout receiver still caught seven passes for 105 yards.

Fawehinmi also showed that in the district, he could be a consistent threat. Two weeks before the Edison game, he tucked away seven catches for 125 yards. Fawehinmi had six catches for 81 yards on a key 32-25 win over Yorktown last year, as well.

He did all this while not even being the lone target of Carrasquillo. Last year, Michael Jackson was also on the receiving end of quite a few passes, but with Jackson gone, Fawehinmi becomes the prime player in the spotlight for Falls Church this fall, and that should be a welcome sight for new coach Anthony Parker, who takes over for Russ Collett.