The Hurry Up: Five-Star Defensive End Injured While Quarterback Target Leads Team to Victory in First Start

GET WELL SOON

Though Olentangy Orange knocked off Bishop Watterson on Friday night by a score of 22-0, the Pioneers sufferred a rather large loss when five-star defensive end Zach Harrison went down with an apparent knee injury in the fourth quarter. He did not return to the game and left the field on crutches.

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Harrison — who is considered the second-best weak-side defensive end and No. 4 prospect overall in the Class of 2019 — has an MRI on Saturday, which reveled an MCL sprain in his left knee. He is expected miss between two and six weeks.

“I'm OK,” Harrison told Eleven Warriors.

Olentangy Orange will surely miss his presence along the defensive line, but expect Ohio two-star linebacker commit Bryce Houston to step up as a leader for the 2-0 Pioneers in his absence.

As for Harrison's recruitment, don't expect the injury to impact his plans to make a decision on his future. He holds offers from some of the best programs in the country — including schools such as Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Stanford and USC — so he's taking the process slow and showing no signs of making a commitment ahead of his senior season.

Being only 20 minutes up river, though, you get the sense that he's Ohio State's to lose.

THE END OF A DYNASTY

Top-ranked Santa Ana, California, Mater Dei knocked off three-time defending national champion Las Vegas Bishop Gorman on Friday night, 35-21, snapping the Gaels' 55-game winning streak.

The Monarchs, led by USC five-star quarterback commit J.T. Daniels and Ohio State four-star linebacker target Solomon Tuliaupupu, held a 14-7 lead at the half. That ballooned to a 21-point lead when UCLA four-star quarterback commit Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw an interception that was returned 36 yards for the score.

This was only Thompson-Robinson's second-career start at Gorman, as he patiently waited behind the now-departed Tate Martell, who was responsible for 43-consecutive wins and led the Gaels to three-straight state and national titles before coming to Columbus.

Gorman cut the lead to seven with just over eight minutes remaining, but Mater Dei's subsequent 80-yard drive and touchdown proved to be decisive.

I've just seen everything. Mater Dei LB Solomon Tuliaupupu, not wearing a helmet, bumped his head with a teammate wearing helmet. Fired up.

— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) September 2, 2017

Tuliaupupu — as you can see was rather excited to play Friday night — had several quarterback hurries to lead the Monarchs defense, while Ohio State five-star athlete target Horace “Bru” McCoy added six catches for 144 yards on offense. Five-star wide receiver target Amon-Ra St. Brown, meanwhile, dressed but did not play as he's nursing an injured finger.

CHECK THE TAPE

Ohio State quarterbacks coach Ryan Day hasn't been shy about his interest in Allen, Texas, four-star quarterback Grant Tisdale, as the 6-foot-1, 204-pounder was among the most impressive prospects to attend Buckeyes' one-day camp this summer. But before he'd go all-out to land Tisdale's pledge, Day wanted to first see him start a game for the Eagles.

“Coach Day said I'm very talented throwing and running the ball, but the only thing he wants to see is me starting a few games because the thing I lack the most right now is experience,” Tisdale told Eleven Warriors. “He wants to see what I do in game situations.”

Well, consider his pitch to be Ohio State's quarterback for the Class of 2019 officially submitted. Tisdale, who is considered the fourth-best dual-threat quarterback in the country, led Allen to a 23-8 win over nationally known Cedar Hill. He completed 7-of-11 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown and made several additional plays with his feet, including this 5-yard scamper for a score:

The first of many TDs in 2017 for Grant Tisdale (@gmtizz). Click the link for the full highlight video from Friday. https://t.co/M75C8xAiqv pic.twitter.com/j3chUGSviy

— Nick Harris (@Nick_Harris15) September 3, 2017

Tell me that doesn't look exactly like J.T. Barrett running the read-option...

“That's a great compliment because J.T. is a great quarterback and has done a lot for Ohio State," Tisdale said.

As Tisdale continues to gain experience, top schools beyond just Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Oregon and Tennessee will begin to offer. But I expect Day and the Buckeyes to push for his commitment following an unofficial visit this fall.