Under The Lights: Joe Royer and Jakob James Aim To Lead Their Team to a State Title While a Few Other Buckeye Commits Look To Win A Championship

Fall weekends can be hectic with all the football going on Friday through Sunday. Under the lights is your weekly primer on what is going for Ohio State commitments and recruits that weekend.

Every week, Under the Lights will detail the top-three games featuring Ohio State commitments, the game that Eleven Warriors will attend, and some predictions for how Ohio State's commits will perform. 

FUTURE BUCKEYES IN ACTION

MATER DEI (CA) VS ST. JOHN BOSCO (CA)

• Day: Friday
• Time: 10 p.m. ET
• Future Buckeyes: Kourt Williams (IMG)
• Targets: Beaux Collins (St. John Bosco), Earnest Greene (St. John Bosco), Raesjon Davis (Mater Dei), Jaylin Davies (Mater Dei), Domani Jackson (Mater Dei)

Earlier this season, this matchup between Mater Dei and St. John Bosco was pegged as the game of the year in high school football, and the second time around is no different. This time, however, stakes are higher with the CIF Southern Section championship on the line.

Mater Dei is the top-ranked as the No. 1 team in the country with St. John Bosco at No. 2. 

These two teams feature a plethora of Division 1 college football talent, one of which is 2020 four-star Ohio State outside linebacker commit Kourt Williams. Once again, Williams will be tasked with slowing down 2020 five-star Alabama quarterback commit Bryce Young.

Beyond Williams, there are also many Buckeye targets mainly in the 2021 and 2022 classes. For St. John Bosco, there is 2021 four-star wide receiver Beaux Collins and 2022 four-star offensive lineman Earnest Greene. Mater Dei features 2021 four-star cornerback Jaylin Davies and 2021 four-star outside linebacker Raesjon Davis and four-star cornerback Domani Jackson in the 2022 class.

In the game earlier this season, Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco by two touchdowns but it is hard to see that happening again. Expect a close shoot out between these two high school football powerhouses.

PICKERINGTON CENTRAL (OH) VS MENTOR (OH)

• Day: Friday
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Future Buckeyes: Ty Hamilton (Central)
• Targets: Brenan Vernon (Mentor)

This is a rematch of the 2017 division one Ohio state championship game that Pickerington Central won 56-28.

Now two years later, in the state semifinals instead of the championship, Mentor will try to get revenge and secure a spot in the state championship. For Pickerington Central, they are aiming for a second state championship in three years.

The Tigers are led by 2020 three-star Ohio State defensive line commit Ty Hamilton on defense who will try to slow down a high powered Mentor offense. As for the lone Ohio State target 2023 defensive end, Brenan Vernon will attempt to stop the smash mouth offense of Pickerington Central.

Both teams are loaded with future college football players and have very successful high school football coaches. The winner of this game may very well win the state title.

ST. PETERS PREP (NJ) VS DON BOSCO PREP (NJ)

• Day: Saturday
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Future Buckeyes: Cody Simon (St. Peters Prep)
• Targets: Gegore Rooks (St. Peters Prep), KJ Miles (St. Peters Prep), Jalen Berger (Don Bosco)

As the season comes to close, Buckeye commits will be playing in state championship games, like Cody Simon is doing this week. The 2020 Ohio State linebacker commit will be leading his team into MetLife stadium looking to win a state title with his St. Peters Prep squad.

Simon leads a very talented St. Peters Prep defense that features two Buckeye targets with 2021 four-star defensive tackle and 2022 four-star defensive end KJ MIles. That loaded defense will look to slow down 2020 four-star running back Jalen Berger who has visited Ohio State and has interest in the Buckeyes.

Buckeye fans should expect Simon to have a big game and lead his team to an all-important state championship. 

WHERE WE'LL BE

ELDER (OH) VS SPRINGFIELD (OH)

• Day: Friday
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Future Buckeyes: Joe Royer (Elder), Jakob James (Elder)
• Targets: Te'Sean Smoot (Springfield), Delian Bradley (Springfield)

We already talked about the first division one Ohio state semifinal and now for the other game to get to the state championship. 2020 Ohio State commits Joe Royer and Jakob James are looking to lead Elder to a state championship while 2022 Ohio State targets Te'Sean Smoot and Delian Bradley look to take them down.

Both teams have had tough roads to get to this point and they both have more than enough talent to win a state title. Elder has more experienced players but Springfield is young and athletic. This game has the makings of a high score shoot out if both teams get rolling.