Before descending upon Columbus, the members of Select '17 have one final shot at glory under the Friday night lights.
ASCENDING DEFENSIVELY
Typically a battle between teams from Louisiana and Texas, this year's edition of the Landers Battle of the Border pitted Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy against Tulsa, Oklahoma, Booker T. Washington. IMG, led by Texas A&M quarterback commit Kellen Mond, took advantage of short fields all night on its way to a 49-7 win.
It was a stark difference from last week's 50-49 win over Centennial, California, in which the Ascenders won on a last-second two-point conversion.
IMG Academy takes the Battle On The Border title 49-7 for Coach Wright's 200th win! #IMGFam pic.twitter.com/FeMMOhEJ7R
— IMG Academy Football (@IMGAFootball) September 11, 2016
With IMG holding on to a 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter, Ohio State commit Marcus Williamson took a fumbled snap 60 yards for a touchdown. It marked the second-consecutive weekend that the 5-foot-9, 180-pound cornerback caused a turnover.
BATTLE OF THE BUCKEYES
After falling behind Bellflower, California, St. John Bosco by two touchdowns in the first quarter, Ohio State quarterback commit Tate Martell and Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman rallied to get a 35-20 win. Bosco, led by offensive guard commit Wyatt Davis, was the third-straight Top 10 team that Gorman has faced this season.
Trailing 20-7 at the half, Martell led the Gaels on a 15-play, 88-yard drive that was capped by a short run by running back Amod Cianelli.
Bishop Gorman then took the lead for good on its subsequent drive when Cianelli scored midway through the third quarter, but it wasn't easy. The Gaels faced 4th-and-inches from their own 22-yard line, but a Martell keeper kept the scoring drive alive.
The Braves had not allowed a single point this season, but Martell was 6-of-11 passing for 174 yars three touchdown passes on the evening. He also rushed 183 yards on 16 carries and one score, which iced the game with 6:10 left on the clock.
“We weren’t really worried at all,” Martell told USA TODAY Sports. “We knew if we went out there and started playing our game, we were going to be fine.”
There was a little friendly banter after the game between future teammates Martell, Davis and Bishop Gorman defensive lineman Haskell Garrett, as well.
I guess once wasn't good enough..
— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) September 10, 2016
Gorman: 35 // Bosco: 20 pic.twitter.com/awC749OBqn
Yea you got us but any of your dline men could get it anytime anywhere https://t.co/BiWwXzmSPX
— Wavy Dub (@wyattdavis53) September 10, 2016
But we gone be at it for the next four years so you have no choice but to see me https://t.co/0Ks1SKeOfj
— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett) September 10, 2016
FLASH
Ohio State cornerback commit Shaun Wade and Jacksonville, Florida, Trinity Christian won its 15th-consecutive game over crosstown rival University Christian on Friday night, 31-23, but not without sweating it out a little bit.
Trailing 31-3 with only six minutes left, University Christian stormed back to cut the lead to a single score with only one minute remaining. A sack and forced fumble ended all hopes of a completing the comeback, however.
Play of the Day - @Athletics_TCA Shaun Wade (@shaunwade2017) with the catch, run, fumble, recovery, TD. #ASJax pic.twitter.com/6xHaiziTTc
— Drew Copley (@DrewASJax) September 10, 2016
Wade had a highlight reel moment in the second quarter, when caught a quick slant, lost the handle, picked it up and raced 67 yards for the score. He also pulled off an acrobatic interception right before the half, which set up a 52-yard field goal as time expired.
| Name | Pos | High School | Opponent | Score | Stats/News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOSH MYERS | OT | MIAMISBURG (OH) | at THURGOOD MARSHALL (OH) | W, 49-6 | Starting RB rushed for 180 YDS on 3 carries. |
| WYATT DAVIS | OG | ST. JOHN BOSCO (CA) | at BISHOP GORMAN (NV) | L, 35-20 | Helped Braves take a 20-7 first half lead. |
| TREVON GRIMES | WR | ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (FL) | at PLANTATION (FL) | W, 49-0 | DNP |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | TRINITY CHRISTIAN (FL) | UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN (FL) | W, 31-23 | 67-YRD TD reception and an INT. |
| CHASE YOUNG | WDE | DeMATHA CATHOLIC (MD) | BISHOP MCDEVITT (PA) | W, 35-7 | Held Crusaders to one first down. |
| TYJON LINDSEY | WR | BISHOP GORMAN (NV) | ST. JOHN BOSCO (CA) | W, 35-20 | DNP |
| J.K. DOBBINS | APB | LA GRANGE (TX) | LA VERNIA (TX) | W, 16-0 | DNP |
| ISAIAH PRYOR | DB | IMG ACADEMY (FL) | BOOKER T. WASHINGTON (OK) | W, 49-7 | Held high-powered Hornets offense to season low in points |
| TATE MARTELL | DUAL | BISHOP GORMAN (NV) | ST. JOHN BOSCO (CA) | W, 35-20 | Threw for 183 YRDs and 3 TDs and rushed for 113 YRDs and a score. |
| HASKELL GARRETT | DT | BISHOP GORMAN (NV) | ST. JOHN BOSCO (CA) | W, 35-20 | Helped keep the Knights scoreless in the second half. |
| JAKE MORETTI | OL | POMONA (CO) | FOUNTAIN-FORT CARSON | W, 42-0 | Out for Season (ACL) |
| BRENDON WHITE | ATH | OLENTANGY LIBERTY (OH) | ST. THOMAS MORE (ON) | W, 58-10 | The Patriots were one of three Columbus area schools to play against teams from Canada. |
| AMIR RIEP | CB | COLERAIN (OH) | LA SALLE (OH) | W, 6-0 | First time Cardinals did not score a touchdown since 2009 |
| JERRON CAGE | DT | WINTON WOODS (OH) | SRINGBORO (OH) | L, 36-28 | Record 5 tackles and a sack |
| MARCUS WILLIAMSON | DB | IMG ACADEMY (FL) | BOOKER T. WASHINGTON (OK) | W, 49-7 | 60-YRD fumble recovery for TD |
| ANTJUAN SIMMONS | OLB | PIONEER (MI) | at BEDFORD (MI) | L, 22-21 | Allowed a 2-PT conversion as time expired |
| DANNY CLARK | QB | ARCHBISHOP HOBAN (OH) | URSULINE (OH) | W, 37-12 | Threw 1 TD and 2 INTs |
| BLAKE HAUBEIL | K | CANISIUS (NY) | CARDINAL O'HARA (NY) | W, 42-6 | Kicked 6 XPs |
| Name | Pos | High School | Opponent | Score | Stats/News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMORY JONES | QB | HEARD COUNTY (GA) | at DARLINGTON (GA) | L, 28-14 | Tallied 129 YRDs passing, 34 YRDs rushing and 1 TD. |
| BRIAN SNEAD | RB | ARMWOOD (FL) | BLOOMINGDALE (FL) | W, 47-0 | DNP |
