Previewing Best 2016 High School Football Matchups Between Top Recruits
The 2016 high school football season kicks off throughout various regions of America this weekend, providing fans with a glimpse of powerhouse programs and top prospects.
This highly anticipated opening slate of games is just the start of a season set to feature several cross-country and in-state battles that warrant national attention. Hometown pride is on the line through regular-season and playoff action that will last into December, along with ample opportunities for highly regarded recruits to assert their dominance.
Recruiting analysts and college scouts will watch closely as athletes return to action, eyeing playmakers ranging from breakout freshman to standout seniors. Though each weekend will provide plenty of highlights in every corner of the country, here's a look at key contests to keep a close eye on throughout the fall.
Bishop Gorman (Nevada) vs. Cedar Hill (Texas)
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Date: Aug. 27
Location: Cedar Hill High School (Cedar Hill, Texas)
Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman prepares for an early test that should determine whether the Gaels are again up to the task of claiming a No. 1 overall national ranking at season's end. The program hasn't lost since quarterback Tate Martell took over the starting job as a sophomore, and he's one of three Ohio State commits in this senior class, along with receiver Tyjon Lindsey and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett.
The eligibility status of Lindsey, rated No. 5 nationally among receiver recruits, remains uncertain following his re-enrollment at the school, according to David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His presence is a significant X-factor, but Martell (5,145 passing yards and 86 total touchdowns since 2014) has alternative weapons in Cal running back commit Biaggio Ali Walsh and 4-star 2018 tight end Brevin Jordan.
Cedar Hill counters with a defensive unit that features Iowa State defensive end pledge Deven Lamp and 4-star 2018 defensive lineman Shabazz Dotson. The Longhorns can also provide offensive fireworks of their own, with a stable of weapons that includes 4-star junior running back Joshua Fleeks, Oklahoma receiver commit Charleston Rambo and Texas A&M receiver pledge Camron Buckley.
Cedar Hill quarterback Avery Davis, a Notre Dame commit who competed alongside Martell at Elite 11 finals in June, will contend with a Bishop Gorman secondary led by coveted uncommitted defensive backs Bubba Bolden and Alex Perry, while 2018 prospect Palaie Gaoteote carries immense promise at linebacker.
Grayson (Georgia) vs. IMG Academy (Florida)
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Date: Aug. 27
Location: Grayson High School (Loganville, Georgia)
Both squads further stocked impressive rosters during the offseason by landing quality transfer players, setting the stage for a scintillating interstate matchup. IMG and Grayson each implement Elite 11 finalist quarterbacks in Kellen Mond (Texas A&M commit) and Chase Brice (Clemson commit), respectively, but we can't help but shift initial focus to defensive efforts.
IMG alone sends out eight defenders considered "blue-chip" recruits (4/5-star ratings) in its senior class. This collection is led in the front seven by No. 1 linebacker Dylan Moses, Georgia-bound edge-rusher Robert Beal, 6'6" Maryland lineman commit Joshua Kaindoh, 5-star junior tackle Taron Vincent and Texas A&M linebacker pledge Santino Marchiol. They're backed by a secondary that features Ohio State commits Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson, along with LSU pledge Grant Delpit.
Even a mighty IMG defensive backfield will be hard-pressed to exceed the expectations surrounding Grayson cornerback duo Deangelo Gibbs and Jamyest Williams, who are each considered top-10 overall prospects at their position in the 2017 cycle. They will attempt to shut down an Ascenders aerial assault that includes LSU commit Jhamon Ausbon, speedy UCF pledge Emmanuel Greene and Oregon tight end commit Tre' McKitty.
Trench battles should be a sight to behold, as offensive linemen Cesar Ruiz (No. 1 center) and Robert Hainsey (Notre Dame commit) anchor things up front for IMG, while 4-star tackle Tony Gray and Duke commit Will Taylor work to protect Brice.
Expect 4-star Grayson linebacker Breon Dixon (former Georgia commit) to command Mond's attention. Supremely early Alabama pledge Trey Sanders (IMG) is viewed as one of America's premier 2019 recruits.
American Heritage (Florida) vs. Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey)
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Date: Sept. 2
Location: America Heritage High School (Plantation, Florida)
New Jersey heavyweight Don Bosco Prep heads south for a compelling clash with American Heritage, providing an early litmus test for both teams. These squads surged to championship games in their respective state playoff tournaments last season, so there is plenty of optimism in each locker room.
Perhaps no high school passer enters his senior season with more momentum than Don Bosco quarterback Tommy DeVito. The Syracuse commit vaulted up national rankings during an offseason in which he became the most surprising inclusion of a celebrated Elite 11 fraternity, and he stepped up late as a junior to halt a three-year state title drought for the Ironmen.
An offensive line led by Liam Fornadel will face tremendous pressure to keep DeVito upright against American Heritage. The Patriots will apply force with senior linebackers James Houston (Florida commit) and Willie Hampton (Nebraska commit) and an elite defensive backfield (2017 Florida pledge Marco Wilson, 2018 5-star Patrick Surtain Jr. and 2018 4-star Tyson Campbell patrol the secondary).
Another prized junior prospect can be found anchoring the Don Bosco defensive line. Tyler Friday, considered New Jersey's No. 1 overall 2018 recruit and No. 2 tackle nationally, will arguably face the biggest challenge of his young career while battling senior 4-star American Heritage offensive linemen Tedarrell Slaton and Kai-Leon Herbert (Michigan commit).
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Bishop Gorman (Nevada) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida)
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Date: Sept. 30
Location: Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas)
If Bishop Gorman escapes the Lone Star State with a season-opening victory over Cedar Hill High School, this matchup presents another major hurdle in its quest for another national title. St. Thomas Aquinas starts its campaign at No. 1 in MaxPreps' team rankings and would tremendously enhance its case to remain atop that list with a win in Sin City.
Quarterback Tate Martell, who enters his senior season undefeated with the Gaels, will line up across the sidelines from future Ohio State teammate Trevon Grimes, a 5-star receiver who announced intentions to play for the Buckeyes alongside Bishop Gorman pass-catcher Tyjon Lindsey earlier this week via Bleacher Report video. They'll be joined on the field by another Ohio State pledge in Bishop Gorman defensive lineman Haskell Garrett.
Grimes can anticipate constant attention from 4-star Gaels defensive backs Bubba Bolden and Alex Perry, who must contend with the strong arm of Florida quarterback pledge Jake Allen, who attended Elite 11 finals with Martell this summer. The St. Thomas Aquinas offense also features West Virginia receiver commit Michael Harley, Syracuse receiver commit Josh Palmer, South Carolina running back commit Kyshaun Bryan and 4-star 2018 receiver Elijah Moore.
The Raiders will counter Bishop Gorman's offensive efforts—which include Cal running back commit Biaggio Ali Walsh and top-tier 2018 tight end Brevin Jordan—with a defense loaded with young, elite talent.
Cornerbacks Al Blades Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr., linebacker Rocky Shelton and edge-rusher Nik Bonitto are all blue-chip 2018 talents, while Tyler Dunning (Mississippi State linebacker pledge), Kivon Bennett (Tennessee tackle commit) and Lashawn Paulino-Bell (Michigan State defensive end pledge) provide a substantial senior presence.
DeSoto (Texas) vs. Cedar Hill (Texas)
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Date: Sept. 23
Location: Cedar Hill High School (Cedar Hill, Texas)
Cedar Hill again plays host to a national heavyweight just weeks after Bishop Gorman visits, welcoming DeSoto to Longhorns Stadium. This Lone Star State showdown is headlined by a battle between Elite 11 finalists Avery Davis (Cedar Hill; Notre Dame commit) and Shawn Robinson (DeSoto; TCU pledge).
These quarterbacks command a spotlight, but they'll rely heavily on impressive supporting casts.
The Cedar Hill offense can do damage on the ground with 4-star 2018 rusher Joshua Fleeks or extend the field with a pair of Power Five receiver pledges in Camron Buckley and Charleston Rambo. DeSoto is led along the offensive front by linemen Edward Ingram (LSU commit), Xavier Newman (Texas commit) and Hyrin White (Missouri commit), who will allow Robinson to wreak havoc as a passer or runner.
When Robinson goes to the air, his receivers include former Tennessee commit KD Nixon and Colorado commit Laviska Shenault. They'll attempt to stretch things against a stout Cedar Hill defensive front that features Iowa State defensive end pledge Deven Lamp and 4-star 2018 lineman Shabazz Dotson.
Among DeSoto's group of rising juniors, running back Kelan Walker, cornerbacks/twins Gemon and German Green, and BJ Hanspard may be primed for strong seasons.
Mater Dei (California) vs. St. John Bosco (California)
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Date: Oct. 21
Location: St. John Bosco High School (Bellflower, California)
Mater Dei sophomore quarterback JT Daniels is well on his way toward following footsteps similar to former St. John Bosco star Josh Rosen, now a potential Heisman Trophy contender at UCLA. Like Rosen in the 2015 cycle, Daniels is considered the No. 1 overall passer in his class.
He erupted for 3,042 passing yards and 33 touchdown tosses as a freshman and now faces mounting hype in an offensive attack that includes Stanford receiver commit Osiris St. Brown, younger brother Amon-Ra St. Brown (4-star 2018 prospect) and elite junior tackle Tommy Brown. Mater Dei is loaded with talented young players, including a second potential 5-star 2019 prospect in athlete Bru McCoy.
Defensively, the Monarchs rely on veteran seniors such as UCLA cornerback commit Quentin Lake, Arizona safety pledge Xavier Bell and linebacker Fa'avae Fa'avae (offers from Arizona State, Boston College and Louisville). This unit must contend with two Power Five receiver commits in Terrell Bynum (Washington) and Berkeley Holman (Northwestern), along with intriguing 2018 dual-threat quarterback Re-al Mitchell (an offer arrived from Utah this spring).
St. John Bosco boasts beastly Ohio State pledge Wyatt Davis as anchor of its offensive line, while fellow 5-star Jaiden Woodbey is ranked No. 3 overall among 2018 safeties.
IMG Academy (Florida) vs. Trinity Christian Academy (Florida)
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Date: Oct. 21
Location: Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Florida)
IMG Academy will again log thousands of miles this fall while dealing with a national schedule, but this matchup won't require the Ascenders to cross Sunshine State borders. Trinity Christian Academy, a three-time defending state champion, plays host and boasts an abundance of talent.
The Conquerors are equipped with 5-star defensive backs Shaun Wade (Ohio State commit) and Tyreke Johnson (No. 1 overall 2018 safety). This tandem will spearhead efforts to slow down an IMG attack triggered by Texas A&M quarterback commit Kellen Mond, whose targets include LSU-bound receiver Jhamon Ausbon and Oregon tight end pledge Tre' McKitty.
IMG's star-studded secondary (featuring Wade's future Buckeyes teammates Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson) will have its hands full with Trinity Christian receiver D.J. Matthews, who is arguably the most dangerous offensive weapon in Florida. The Seminoles commit serves as catalyst for an offense that faces a monumental challenge competing against one of the nation's premier front-seven units (blue-chips Dylan Moses, Joshua Kaindoh, Robert Beal and Taron Vincent highlight the group).
Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Schedule information is courtesy of MaxPreps.
Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
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