High School Games to Watch: Week 3
by Caleb Johnson
Two Florida powerhouse programs are on national television this week, along with three other high school games.
Four more high school football games on ESPN are in the books and one more is on the way this Friday night matching up two Florida powerhouses and two New Era Scouting Top 100 prospects. But before we get to that, here’s what you may have missed over the past week.
Carver safety Darren Myles registered six tackles before being hampered by an ankle injury. Mays running back Desmond Walker proved that he, too, is one of the best players in the state of Georgia as he shredded Carver’s defense all night.
Final Score: Mays 37 – Carver 19
Player of the Game: Mays running back Desmond Walker
On Sunday afternoon, what was built to be a battle of highly rated Missouri quarterbacks quickly turned into a one-sided affair as Rockhurst handed Blue Springs South a big loss. Rockhurst quarterback and Illinois commit Nathan Scheelhaase led the way, completing eight of his 15 pass attempts for 177 yards, two scores and one interception. He added an interception defensively. Receiver Keith Langtry proved to be his favorite target, catching five passes for 142 yards and both scores. Rockhurst’s running game was also spectacular, as Chris Castellucio and Billy Linscott combined for 186 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. South quarterback Blaine Dalton, a Missouri commit, had a rough day throwing four interceptions and also losing a fumble. He did intercept Scheelhaase on defense, however.
Final Score: Rockhurst 42 – Blue Springs South 14
Player of the Game: Rockhurst receiver Keith Langtry
In the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA challenge, USA came away with a win when St. Thomas Aquinas beat Elder in a tape-delayed game which aired Monday. St. Thomas quarterback Ryan Becker finished the game 10-of-18 for 283 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and added a touchdown on the ground. Cris Carter’s son and Ohio State commit Duron Carter finished the game with four catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. Aquinas’ Cody Riggs led a tough defensive effort in the second half with two interceptions.
Final Score: St. Thomas Aquinas 35 – Elder 24
Player of the Game: St. Thomas Aquinas receiver Duron Carter (Ohio State commit)
For a game that was built to be a chance for the country to see future Southern Cal commit and NES No. 1 overall prospect Matt Barkley, the viewers got much more than they bargained for with a triple overtime thriller. Barkley had his ups-and-downs with a tough Carson defensive backfield, but threw some incredible passes and finished the game 15-of-31 for 277 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions, and most importantly, a hard-fought victory. Receiver Victor Blackwell had a touchdown catch and a 92-yard kick return touchdown to start the game. Perhaps the most impressive player on the field for Mater Dei, however, was receiver Ario Winston, who ended the day with six receptions for 143 yards and three scores. On the opposite side of the ball, Southern Cal commit and NES No. 56 prospect tight end Morrell Presley had four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Carson quarterback Daniel Torres ended the day with two touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. And running back Ezekial Graham finished with 129 yards rushing.
Final Score: Mater Dei 46 - Carson 43 (3OT)
Player of the Game: Mater Dei receiver Ario Winston
Friday, September 5 – 8 PM EST – ESPNU
Armwood (FL) vs. Plant (FL)
In what may be the best collection of college prospects on the ESPN telecasts this year, featuring two NES Top 100 players, Florida state 4A (third largest) powers Seffner Armwood and Tampa Plant will clash on the gridiron this Friday night.
Armwood finished their 2007 campaign with a 13-1 record and a loss in the class 4A state semifinals to eventual champion Washington. They are led by the highly recruited playmaking defensive end Ryne Giddins, who finished last season registering 21 sacks and holds offers from Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, Miami (FL), Clemson, Florida State, and many others. Joining him on defense is linebacker Petey Smith, who had 80 tackles as a junior and is considering offers from Auburn, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio State, Miami (FL), Florida State, Michigan, among others. Safety Angelo Hadley is also highly recruited, with offers from Auburn, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia to name a few. Linebacker Casey Callahan rounds out an impressive list of senior defensive recruits. Offensively, Mywan Jackson does it all for Armwood. Serving as a quarterback last season, he had 876 yards and six touchdowns passing, and added 1,135 yards and 12 scores on the ground. As a sophomore, he put up 276 yards as a receiver. He has also compiled a very impressive list of offers, featuring schools the likes of Auburn, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and West Virginia, and more. The lone committed prospect on the team is offensive guard Justin Cabbagestalk, who is pledged to play for Vanderbilt. Running back Sir Chauncey Holloway might get the nod for the best name on the field Friday night, and fullback Matt Eastman is also garnering college interest.
Plant is coming off an 11-2 season and an embarrassing 36-7 loss to Armwood in the regional finals of the 4A playoffs last season. NES No. 26 overall prospect Aaron Murray leads the way at quarterback. Murray came on the radar at the 2007 Elite 11 quarterback camp, where he served as a bellboy but also outperformed many quarterbacks in attendance that year. This past summer, he was named MVP of the camp. As a junior he completed 61.1 percent of his throws, passing for 4,013 yards and 51 touchdowns to only seven interceptions, and adding 932 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing. He committed to Georgia over offers from Auburn, Tennessee, UCLA, Notre Dame, Florida, and others. His favorite target this year may be NES No. 86 overall prospect, tight end Orson Charles. Charles only caught three touchdowns and 12 total passes last season, but his talent is unquestionable and has led to offers from Georgia, Florida, Auburn, LSU, Florida State, Miami (FL), Illinois, Michigan and many others. Safety Hunter Baldwin has an offer from Western Michigan, and defensive tackle Austin Clark is on the radar of some colleges. 2010 prospect Mike Mirabella recorded an amazing 156 tackles and 60 tackles for loss as a sophomore, and the small-but-speedy receiver Allen Sampson could be one to look for in next year’s recruiting cycle.
Key Matchup: How will Plant’s Murray fare this time around facing the tough defense of Armwood, with Giddins providing the pass rush, Smith on the blitz and Hadley back in coverage?