If you're in the casting business and some young actor walks into your office proclaiming his last name is Pacino, Deniro or Brando, I'm guessing a light bulb might turn on above your head. In the football business, let's just say the names Gholston, Gore and Barry Sanders Jr. sound vaguely familiar. And we'll be hearing them a lot more in the coming years.

William Gholston is the cousin of former Ohio State standout linebacker and New York Jets 2008 first-round draft selection Vernon Gholston. The younger Gholston -- a 6-foot-7, 240-pound Michigan State-bound senior defensive end -- has recorded 123 tackles, 31 sacks and 10 forced fumbles in 11 games this season, leading Detroit Southeastern (Mich.) to a Division 1 state quarterfinal showdown with unbeaten ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 45 Sterling Heights Stevenson on Saturday.

Jakhari Gore is the cousin of San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Columbus (Fla.) senior running back is the leading ball-carrier in the Miami-Dade and Broward County area, rushing for 1,471 yards and 24 touchdowns on 129 carries (11.4 yards per carry) in nine games. His team faces ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 29 Miami Central in the Class 6A regional quarterfinals on Nov. 20.

Barry Sanders Jr. is the son of the Heisman Trophy-winning Hall of Fame running back. Just a sophomore, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Heritage Hall (Okla.) running back has rushed for 1,331 yards and 15 touchdowns on 176 carries in addition to catching 13 passes for 167 yards and three scores in 10 games. His team faces Meeker in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs on Friday.

High school football: Where everybody knows your name.