Prep Tracker: Jayden Ballard’s Trick Pass Play Buoys Late Comeback, Gabe Powers Leads Defensive Charge, Mike Hall Set to Return From Injury

We expect to be back out again next weekend to check out some of the state's best, but in the meantime, here is a roundup of how the Buckeyes' 10 commits in the 2021 and 2022 classes fared over the weekend.

Ballard quiet, but trick play buoys comeback

Massillon Washington (Ohio) receiver Jayden Ballard has a shot at making his way into five-star territory as he has continued to play well in his senior season.

Even though he was quiet on Friday night, though, with just two catches for 16 yards, it was a pass from Ballard that provided the spark the defending Division II state champions needed to get past St. Ignatius.

After pulling to within a 14-12 deficit with a little more than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Ballard took an end around handoff in the backfield on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt. He then pulled up and lofted a soft toss into the end zone to knot the game up, and two plays later Washington took a decisive seven-point lead after forcing a turnover en route to a 21-14 win.

@ZachCatrone @J_Ball21 2pt conversion to tie the game at 14 pic.twitter.com/slQFgTKZg2

— Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club (@Massillon_Tiger) September 26, 2020

“Those guys play hard,” Tigers head coach Nate Moore told the Massillon Independent's Chris Easterling. “I’ve said that from the start. Led by the senior class. These guys just play hard, man. You just let everything play out.”

Powers forces two turnovers

While Ballard is working his way to a possible fifth star, the Buckeyes' top-ranked 2022 outside linebacker commit Gabe Powers is already there.

Powers, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder ranked No. 1 at OLB and No. 31 overall, is the top-ranked player in Ohio's 2022 cycle, and on Friday he was able to display that skillset.

The junior looked brilliant on a pair of plays in which he sprinted over to step in front of a post route for an interception, and he later showed great instincts by punching the ball out of a receiver's hands to force a fumble.

Ohio State commit Gabe Powers HAD HIS WAY tonight

The Marysville junior led the Monarchs to another shutout on the defensive end with a forced fumble and an interception @GabePowers21 @JakeSpegal270 pic.twitter.com/RNVFKjjrYu

— 270 Gridiron (@270Gridiron) September 26, 2020

Powers is one part of the three-man group that is the best linebackers class in the nation in 2022. He may end up at defensive end down the line if his body transitions that way, but if he stays at outside linebacker he looks the part of a guy who can play in coverage in the flats and the middle of the field.

Injury updates

Last week, Cleveland.com reported that 2021 defensive tackle commit Mike Hall would miss the final two games of the regular season with a broken hand he suffered in a practice.

Looks like Hall's recovery went better than expected, though, as it appears Hall is set to come back a week early:

Im back...

— (@MichaelHallJr_) September 26, 2020

Jantzen Dunn, however, is still nursing a Grade 2 quad strain, and the Kentucky safety has not yet made an appearance this season.

Buckeye roundup

Here is a quick look at the 10 Ohio State commits who were in action this weekend and how their teams fared: