Prep Tracker: Ohio State Commits, Targets Square Off, Walker's Season Begins, Richardson Goes Off and More

By 11W Staff on September 6, 2015 at 11:15 am
Marcus Williamson and South took on Jonathon Cooper's Lincoln squad.
Marcus Williamson
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Every weekend in the fall, thousands of high school football teams line up and take their shot at prep glory. The Sunday morning Prep Tracker is your final stop for the names, numbers and scores that mattered to Ohio State's recruiting efforts.


WALLACE, DESOTO TAKE ON LOADED IMG TEAM IN BOUNCE BACK EFFORT

After an opening week upset at the hands of rival Martin (Arlington), things certainly didn't get any easier for Ohio State 2016 commitment Tristen Wallace and his DeSoto teammates.

The No. 17 IMG Ascenders strode into the Lonestar State and put a Texas-sized whooping on the Eagles, beating DeSoto 47-29 despite a valiant effort from Wallace his teammates, despite a fast start against the Bradenton, Florida semi-pro prep squad.

From USATodayHSS.com:

“We came out with a lot of emotion, we played well early, but then on offense and in special teams, it got away from us early,” DeSoto coach Todd Peterman said. “It was kind of like last week. We just have to bounce back and get better at some things.”

Turnovers once again plagued DeSoto, who had an early lead in this matchup, billed as one of the country's best high school games this season, Wallace had two interceptions and a fumble, two of which led to scores.

DeSoto found success in the running game in the first half (167 yards on the ground) but adjustments by the uber-talented IMG team in the second half shut down any semblance of an offensive attack in the second stanza.

Wallace, again under immense pressure most of the afternoon, finished 14-24 for 112 yards through the air. He also added 66 yards rushing and a touchdown, but unfortunately couldn't stop the onslaught.

CATCHING UP WITH CORLEY

In the first week of the season (8-29) Donnie Corley (WR) of Detroit Martin Luther King only made one reception. However, the 2016 Ohio State target made one of the biggest plays of the game on defense. Justin Davis of mlive.com describes Corley's impact:

...Corley did bring down a key interception on defense, halting a long De La Salle drive that could have tilted the game in the Pilots favor. Instead, thanks to Corley, his interception led to King's first touchdown of the game as the Crusaders came back to win, 12-10.

Highlights of Corley from week 1 (8-29) and the 12-10 win over defending State Champion De La Salle:

Corley had an interception and the Crusaders found their offense this week as they cruised to a 42-0 victory over Western International (Detroit).

Corley and his King teammates followed up their big win with a trip to Notre Dame where he took in the Irish beating down Texas in South Bend.

RICHARDSON GOES OFF FOR MAPLE HEIGHTS

There's good nights as a high school football player, and then there are great nights as a high school football player. On Friday night, Maple Heights' 2017 star JaVonte Richardson had the latter. 

Richardson, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver/defensive back nearly decimated the Rebels of Willoughby South all by himself as the Mustangs rolled 58-14 thanks to Richardson's four interceptions. Of course, that wasn't all, he also scored twice, including a kick return for a score.

"I'm just blessed and thankful," Richardson told 11W after the game. "I have the best defensive coaches ever."

Although he's a very talented wide receiver, Richardson's future could be on the defensive side of the ball and he looked like a natural roaming the secondary on Friday night.

SENIOR SEASON GETS OFF TO FAST START FOR WALKER, DEPAUL CATHOLIC

With much anticipation, the senior season of the country's top-ranked 2016 running back, Buckeye commit Kareem Walker, finally got underway as DePaul Catholic rolled Pope John 37-0 behind Walker and a stifling Spartan defense.

When you've got a workhorse like the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Walker, you use him liberally and that's exactly what DePaul did.

From NJ.com:

DePaul set the tone early, calling 10 straight running plays on its opening drive to go 80 yards for a touchdown. Walker capped off the drive with a 1-yard plunge, giving him 43 yards on seven carries during the opening series.

Walker finished the game with 22 carries for 135 yards and three rushing touchdowns, he also added a receiving touchdown for good measure. Although, it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies for the bruising tailback.

Walker fumbled on back to back red zone trips, both ending with Pope John recovering. 

Still, for a season opener, Walker was happy to earn the win and move on to week two.

"The offensive line played really good," Walker told Eleven Warriors. "Now we just have to keep it moving. We can enjoy this win for 24 hours and get right back at it on Monday."

SHAUN WADE AND TRINITY CHRISTIAN CONTINUE WINNING WAYS

2017 Ohio State commit Shaun Wade (DB) helped his defense hold Ribault (Jacksonville) to 14 total yards of total offense and six points. Wade and Trinity Christian's defense were able to keep Ribault's rushing attack to negative seven yards and only allowed 21 yards passing on four completions.

Go here to see Wade laying the wood for WTLV's Friday hit of the night. 

COOPER AND LINCOLN FACE OFF AGAINST WILLAMSON, GILL AND WESTERVILLE

Tim Shoemaker brought some heat on Saturday morning, recapping Friday's marquee matchup in Gahanna that featured two Ohio State commitments and one likely eventual commit.

Gahanna Lincoln, headlined by the ferocious Jonathon Cooper, led the Golden Lions to a hard-fought 20-13 win against Westerville South and his Buckeye counterpart Marcus Williamson. Cooper's defense had seven tackles for loss, and the Ohio State commit himself had five of those and held on for the win despite a valiant effort by 2018 South star Jaelen Gill

Westerville South, one of the region's most talented teams, is now 0-2 as first-year head coach Kyle Stout works through the kinks. Friday night was a step in the right direction.

From ThisWeekNews.com:

“I’ve got to give it to our defense and special teams, and Jaelen Gill kept fighting through it,” South coach Kyle Stout said. “If a couple plays go our way …”

Here are the notes from Tim Shoemaker's recap:

  • Cooper: The most memorable series came in the third quarter when South's quarterback ran a read-option to Cooper's side, pulling the ball out at the last second as Cooper crashed hard on the running back (it's what he was supposed to do). The quarterback ran for a short gain and South tried to run the exact same play on the next snap. Cooper again crashed and hit the running back, but this time he sprung to his feet and chased down the quarterback after a short game. It was a freakishly athletic play.
  • Williamson: There was a series in the first half where Gahanna ran back-to-back swing passes toward Williamson's side of the field. The first play he got up to the receiver fast enough to break the pass up in the air as he brought the receiver to the ground. The very next play, Williamson shed a block and nailed a receiver after only a short gain. He played very physical all night when plays came his way...Williamson also showed some explosion on special teams as he took a punt back 60 yards for a touchdown in the first half to tie the game up at 7.
  • Gill: He's got good quickness and vision, but, to me, he's not a natural running back, at least not right now. He's best when he gets the ball in space and can use his strengths to his advantage and he's not stuck running between the tackles behind a less-than-stellar offensive line.

2016 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL COMMITMENTS
NAME POS HIGH SCHOOL OPPONENT SCORE  stats/news
TRISTEN WALLACE QB DESOTO (TX) IMG ACADEMY (BRADENTON, FL) Lost 47-29. 14-24, 112 yds, 2 INT. 17 carries, 66 yds, 1 TD
KAREEM WALKER RB DE PAUL CATHOLIC (WAYNE, NJ) at POPE JOHN XXIII (SPARTA, NJ) Won  Won 37-0. 22 carries, 135 YDs, 4 total TD.
DEMARIO MCCALL ATH NORTH RIDGEVILLE (OH) at STEELE (AMHERST, OH) Won 18-14. DNP - Ankle Injury
GEORGE HILL ATH HUBBARD (OH) at GIRARD (OH) Won 55-7 13 carries, 131 yds and 4 total TD HIGHLIGHTS
KIERRE HAWKINS ATH MAPLE HEIGHTS (OH) SOUTH (WILLOUGHBY, OH) Won 58-14 1 reception on offense, two sacks on defense.
AUSTIN MACK WR BISHOP LUERS (FT. WAYNE, IN) FORT WAYNE CONORDIA LUTHERAN (IN) Won 7-0. DNP - Concussion
JAKE HAUSMANN TE ARCHBISHOP MOELLER (CINCINNATI) WAYNE (HUBER HEIGHTS, OH) N/A Plays Sunday at 4pm on ESPNU
LUKE FARRELL TE PERRY (OH) at BRUSH (LYNDHURST, OH) Won 42-36.  TD reception, two sacks on defense.
TYLER GERALD OL IMG ACADEMY (BRADENTON, FL) at DESOTO (TX) Won 47-29.  
JACK WOHLABAUGH OL WALSH JESUIT (STOW, OH) SAINT VINCENT-ST. MARY (AKRON, OH) Lost 35-14.  
MICHAEL JORDAN OL PLYMOUTH (CANTON, MI) at PINCKNEY (MI) Won 39-36. Jordan led the way for Plymouth as they rolled up 508 yards.
GAVIN CUPP OL LEIPSIC (OH) at COLUMBUS GROVE (OH) Lost 40-26.  
JONATHON COOPER DE LINCOLN (GAHANNA, OH) WESTERVILLE SOUTH (OH) Won 20-13. 9 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack and 1 FF.
NICK BOSA DE ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (FORT LAUDERDALE) at MIRAMAR (FL) Won 48-14.  
MALIK BARROW DL IMG ACADEMY (BRADENTON, FL) at DESOTO (TX) Won 49-27.  
TUF BORLAND LB BOLINGBROOK (IL) ROMEOVILLE (IL) Won 55-6. 12 tackles, INT and fumble recovery in dominant performance.
KAREEM FELDER CB ST. FRANCES ACADEMY (BALTIMORE) ST. PETER'S PREP (JERSEY CITY, NJ) Lost 35-21 Felder had an interception in defeat.
WAYNE DAVIS CB LAKE TAYLOR (NORFOLK, VA) at MONTICELLO (CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) Won 38-0. Four receptions on offense, five tackles on defense.
DRUE CHRISMAN P LA SALLE (CINCINNATI) at EAST CENTRAL (ST. LEON, IN) Won 43-20. 6 XP, 2 Punts, 2 Touchbacks
2017 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL COMMITMENTS
NAME POS HIGH SCHOOL OPPONENT SCORE  stats/news
DANNY CLARK QB ARCHBISHOP HOBAN (AKRON, OH) BUCHTEL (AKRON, OH) Won 25-0. 8-18, 170 yards, 2 TD
TODD SIBLEY RB ARCHBISHOP HOBAN (AKRON, OH) BUCHTEL (AKRON, OH) Won 25-0. 17 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD in the win.
BRUCE JUDSON ATH COCOA (FL) WESTERN BRANCH (CHESAPEAKE, VA) Won 35-0.< Rushing TD, 2 TD passes in big win.
JOSH MYERS OL MIAMISBURG (OH) at FAIRMONT (KETTERING, OH) Won 30-27. Miamisburg racked up 272 yards rushing.
JAKE MORETTI OL POMONA (ARVADA, CO) at VALOR CHRISTIAN (HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO) Won 28-14.  
JERRON CAGE DL WINTON WOODS (CINCINNATI) at GLEN ESTE (CINCINNATI) Lost 39-33.  
SHAUN WADE DB TRINITY CHRISTIAN (JACKSONVILLE) RIBAULT (JACKSONVILLE) Won 34-6.  
MARCUS WILLIAMSON DB WESTERVILLE SOUTH (OH) at GAHANNA LINCOLN (OH) Lost 20-13. Had a punt return for a touchdown and was excellent at corner.
ISAIAH PRYOR DB ARCHER (LAWRENCEVILLE, GA) -- -- --
BLAKE HAUBEIL K CANISIUS (BUFFALO) SHENENDEHOWA (CLIFTON PARK, NY) Won 28-7. 4 XP, 4 touchbacks
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