Before descending upon Columbus, the members of Select '17 have one final shot at glory under the Friday night lights.
BUMPS IN THE ROAD
Three-time defending Florida Class 3A state champions Trinity Christian has been forced to forfeit its wins through Week 9 of this season after self-reporting the use of an ineligible player. The school was reportedly doing routine paperwork when it noticed an error with a homeschooled student's high school registration date.
Little bit of breaking news. Trinity Christian has forfeited all of its games due to use of ineligible player. Confirmed thru FHSAA.
— Justin Barney (@JustinBarneyTU) October 28, 2016
The forfeit made the 5-3 Conquerors winless for a few hours on Friday, but the team thrashed previously undefeated Episcopal School of Jacksonville, 44-17, to force a three-way tiebreaker to get into the playoffs.
Ohio State five-star cornerback commit Shaun Wade was relatively quiet in the win, but recorded four receptions for 46 yards and added two tackles on defense.
Due to Trinity Christian forfeiting its 56-13 win over Providence, all three schools in District 3A-2 are now tied in the standings with one win apice. In order for the Conquerors to win the district championship, they must beat Providence in a one-quarter shootout on Monday and then beat Episcopal again in the second quarter.
Trinity Christian self-reported the violation to FHSAA today. Needs to beat Episcopal to force district shootout Monday with ESJ, Providence
— Justin Barney (@JustinBarneyTU) October 28, 2016
If Trinity Christian is able to successfully navigate Monday's tiebreaker and then go on to win the state title, it would become the first program in Florida to win a championship with a losing record.
The school is appealing the ruling, and expects the state athletic association to make a ruling sometime today.
“We have submitted an appeal to the decision of automatic forfeitures on the basis that the decision to allow an ineligible player was unintentional,” Trinity Christian said in a statement. “Neither the coaches or the administration knew or could have known that the student was ineligible based on the information that we had. Regardless if the outcome is positive or negative for the school, we are committed to following the ruling of the FHSAA.”
SOME BOUNTY
Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman has now posted three-consecutive shutouts against in-state opponents, recording a 56-0 lopsided win over Durango on Thursday night.
Ohio State quarterback commit Tate Martell, who had a bounty of sorts placed on him, was 7-for-8 passing for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Earlier in the week, Durango linebacker Justin Williams tweeted he had been offered $100 for every sack he recorded on Thursday.
Williams has since deleted the tweet.
Martell, who was not sacked, also ran for another score before taking a seat at the half. He has completed 91-of-142 pass attempts for 1,517 yards and 24 touchdowns this season, and has yet to throw an interception.
The Gaels defense, meanwhile, allowed only 40 yards of total offense. Defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, who took his official visit to Ohio State over the weekend, recorded three tackles and his first-career interception.
Safety Bubba Bolden also added a 38-yard pick-six to give Bishop Gorman a 42-0 halftime lead.
The Gaels have now won 81-straight games against teams from the Battle Born State.
DREAMS COME TRUE
A first quarter interception by Ohio State cornerback commit Amir Riep helped Colerain roll to a 48-20 win over Oak Hills on Friday night. But that wasn't even close to the highlight of the night.
Senior football manager Noah Kennedy, who has been in and out of children's hospitals his entire life with a myriad of health issues such as Hirschsprung disease and eosinophilic disorders, lined up at wide receiver to start the game.
Very special moment last night with Noah Kennedy starting at WR for the Cardinals! pic.twitter.com/00RvAo52XY
— WeAreColerain.com (@WeAreColerain) October 29, 2016
Kennedy has outlived every life expectancy doctors have predicted, but stands only 4-foot-5 and 75 pounds. Those around him say what Kennedy lacks in size, he makes up for with his tremendous attitude and work ethic.
“It felt amazing to be on that field and play against our good friends from Oak Hills. I was absolutely speechless, and it was truly a dream come true,” Kennedy told Eleven Warriors. “When I was younger, my mom was told that I wouldn't make it past my 2nd birthday. Then she was told that I wouldn't live past 4, then 8, then 13 and then 16. And here I am at 17, about to turn 18, proving all of those doctors [wrong].
“I was told that I was never allowed to play contact sports, so I simply accepted that. But I wanted to do something with football when I got to high school, so I joined the football team my freshman year as a football team manager,” he continued. “I had worked hard and dedicated my life to this team to get that moment, and I loved every minute of it.”
I commend the Colerain coaches for the heart-warming gesture on senior night.
| Name | Pos | High School | Opponent | Score | Stats/News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOSH MYERS | OT | MIAMISBURG (OH) | NORTHMONT (OH) | W, 39-3 | Paved way for 320 YRDs and 4 TDs on the ground |
| WYATT DAVIS | OG | ST. JOHN BOSCO (CA) | JSERRA CATHOLIC (CA) | W, 47-19 | Offense did not allow a sack as QB went 14-for-21 for 216 yards and a TD |
| TREVON GRIMES | WR | ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (FL) | BLANCHE ELY (FL) | W, 49-0 | Out for season (ACL) |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | TRINITY CHRISTIAN (FL) | at EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF JACKSONVILLE (FL) | W. 44-17 | 4 receptions for 46 YRDs, 2 tackles |
| CHASE YOUNG | WDE | DeMATHA CATHOLIC (MD) | OPEN | ||
| TYJON LINDSEY | WR | BISHOP GORMAN (NV) | DURANGO (NV) | W, 56-0 | Out for season (knee) |
| J.K. DOBBINS | APB | LA GRANGE (TX) | GIDDINGS (TX) | L, 45-13 | DNP (ankle) |
| ISAIAH PRYOR | DB | IMG ACADEMY (FL) | at LONG BEACH POLY (CA) | W, 34-0 | Allowed only two trips on plus side of field |
| TATE MARTELL | DUAL | BISHOP GORMAN (NV) | DURANGO (NV) | W, 56-0 | 7-for-8 for 115 YRDs and 2 TDs, 1 rush TD |
| HASKELL GARRETT | DT | BISHOP GORMAN (NV) | DURANGO (NV) | W, 56-0 | INT |
| JAKE MORETTI | OL | POMONA (CO) | at CHAPARRAL (CO) | W, 40-7 | Out for season (knee) |
| BRENDON WHITE | ATH | OLENTANGY LIBERTY (OH) | WESTERVILLE NORTH (OH) | W, 35-14 | DNP (ankle) |
| AMIR RIEP | CB | COLERAIN (OH) | OAK HILLS (OH) | W, 48-20 | INT |
| MARCUS WILLIAMSON | DB | IMG ACADEMY (FL) | at LONG BEACH POLY (CA) | W, 34-0 | Ascenders recorded third shutout in six games |
| JERRON CAGE | DT | WINTON WOODS (OH) | BISHOP WATTERSON (OH) | W, 34-27 | 11 tackles, 3 sacks |
| ANTJUAN SIMMONS | OLB | PIONEER (MI) | OPEN | ||
| BLAKE HAUBEIL | K | CANISIUS (NY) | at CATHEDRAL PREP (PA) | L, 28-24 | 1-for-2 on FGs (22-yard make, 51-yard miss) and 3-for-3 on XPs |
| Name | Pos | High School | Opponent | Score | Stats/News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMORY JONES | QB | HEARD COUNTY (GA) | LAMAR COUNTY (GA) | L, 14-11 | Returned from injury to play wide receiver. Did not attempt a pass, but ran for successful two-point conversion. |
| BRIAN SNEAD | RB | ARMWOOD (FL) | HILLSBOROUGH (FL) | W, 38-20 | 1-yard TD run |
