Prep Tracker: Mack, Barrow and Other Buckeye Commits Highlight Limited Week One Schedule

MACK IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER

It wasn't pretty, but thanks to a big effort from wide receiver Austin Mack, Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne) opened their season with a 28-15 win against crosstown rival Bishop Dwenger. 

Mack, playing his first full-contact contest since a season-ending surgery on his labrum last November, impacted the game on offense, defense and special teams, almost single-handedly besting the Saints. The Buckeye commitment finished the game with only one catch and seven touches, but he was responsible for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including a 99-yard kickoff return to start the second half.

Mack struggled most of night with cramping in his legs, but impacted the game with a touchdown run from the wildcat formation and a touchdown saving interception as well. The rivalry with Dwenger, which dates back to 1965, is a game that is never taken lightly.

“As with any rivalry, the game seemed to be close. And obviously, you’ve got a team (in Dwenger) that’s very good,” Mack told the Journal-Gazette. “It took us awhile to get going. But once we did, the best team showed.”

Bishop Luers will take on Snider (Fort Wayne) next Friday night.

VICTOR, COCONUT CREEK WIN AMIDST CHAOS

Another Buckeyes' wide receiver target, Coconut Creek's Binjimen Victor, opened his season Friday night as well. Opening their season against Deerfield Beach, Victor and the Cougars came away with a 21-19 win a near-tragedy-shortened debut.

Coconut Creek vs. Deerfield Beach game called with 1:00 left in the game due to 2 gunshots in the bleachers. No one hurt it looks like.

— Nash Williams (@NashSports) August 22, 2015

Although the majority of folks postgame are talking about that bit of shocking news, the game itself featured big plays from all over the field and SFHS.com has a pretty good video rundown of the game here.

Here's the highlights from Victor's night, which include a 20-yard touchdown catch.

BARROW STANDS OUT FOR IMG IN LOSS

As one of the country's most feared – and let's call it as it is, hated – high school football programs, the season's first game for IMG Academy had a chance to set the tone for Ascenders. Would this collection of high school talent – perhaps the single greatest collection at one high school ever – gel quickly and assert their dominance against two-time Florida state champion American Heritage or would all the roster finagling lead to a bit of chemistry confusion?

If last night was any indication, there's still some work to be done in Brandenton. Led by the country's top-ranked quarterback, Shea Patterson, the Ascenders failed to get on the board in the first half but their stout defense – led by Buckeyes' 2016 commitment Malik Barrow – kept the Patriots at bay.

Ohio State DT commit Malik Barrow has two TFL's in the first quarter. #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/B7Ug0xDbVA

— Josh Newberg (@joshnewberg247) August 23, 2015

Barrow added a sack in the fourth quarter as well, and was selected by the Jeff Sentell of DawgNation.com as the game's overall top performer.

IMG defensive tackle Malik Barrow is seen by the 247sports composite as the 27th-best defensive tackle by the 247sports composite and that number should shoot up north very very soon. There is no way there are even 10 defensive linemen in the country better than that guy.

Barrow has lost some weight he carried earlier in the summer and was an brutalizing force at 6 feet, 3 inches and 280 pounds. The 4-star prospect stood out in fall camp at IMG and delivered at least three highlight plays against American Heritage. The press box count had him with two sacks and at least two tackles for losses.

With the Patriots up 13-9 and the clock approaching 00:00, a few key plays decided the outcome. I'll let Twitter account take it from here. 

It all comes down to this! 9 seconds left for IMG on the 25 yard line. Let's go Patriots!

— American Heritage (@AH__Athletics) August 23, 2015

wowwwww. IMG catches the ball with no time remaining to tie, but it comes back because of holding https://t.co/tX71iV24pd

— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) August 23, 2015

Nick Eunanks intercepts it and runs it back 100 yards for a touchdown and the Patriots win! What a game!

— American Heritage (@AH__Athletics) August 23, 2015

American Heritage comes away with a huge season-opening win, 19-7.

JACKSON ROLLS TO SHUTOUT

Top Ohio State defensive tackle target Antwuan Jackson and his Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Georgia) teammates rolled Southwest DeKalb 36-0 on Friday night. Jackson, the country's 8th-ranked defensive tackle and one of the top overall prospects left on the Buckeyes' big board, played both offensive tackle and defensive tackle for the Saints.

"(Antwuan) played like a beast," Chris Hill, an assistant at Cedar Grove told Eleven Warriors. "He started both ways."

Watch #Auburn #OhioState target @Hercules__52 and #Alabama commit (no.72) @ATLNETORIJ pave the way for SIX pic.twitter.com/EP6GGLUOQa

— Keith Niebuhr (@Keith247Sports) August 22, 2015

Led by running back Labron Morris, a three-star tailback who ended the night with 170 yards, (including 151 in the first half to go along with three scores), the game was never in doubt for Cedar Grove.