friday night lights

Huge week for the Friday Night Lights feature, as nearly every Michigan commit kicked off the season this weekend, and Mgoblog was live and in person for four of the games (covering 6 of the commits). Players with MGoOriginal content will be at the top, and guys who haven't hit the field yet are towards the bottom. Without further ado, Friday Night Lights:

MI QB Devin Gardner

Last Week: Game Preview. Ann Arbor.com fluff. Inkster loses to Ann Arbor Pioneer 32-35. Article #2. Devin threw 10/14 for 97 yards and a touchdown, while running 16 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. See the MGoBlog review of Gardner, including a photo gallery and HD video.
This week: Inkster (0-1) @ East Kentwood on Thursday. MGoBlog might be in atendance. Hell, let's take a vote. Would you rather have more Devin video or some Austin White video from this coming Thursday?

MI WR Ricardo Miller

Last Week: Game Preview. Ann Arbor Pioneer defeats Inkster 35-32. Article #2. Ricardo caught 3 passes for 70 yards. Photo gallery and scouting report never really got published, because there was actually too much(!) content for MGoBlog to handle this weekend, so you'll have to suffer through the MgoHighlights:

This Week: Dexter @ Ann Arbor Pioneer (1-0). MGoBlog will either be at this game, or the Huron/Tecumseh game. Leave your preference in the comments.

OH WR Jerald Robinson

Last Week: Canton South fell to Dover 14-27. Jerald caught 2 passes for 6 yards, returned one kickoff for 15 yards, and made 1 solo tackle and 6 assisted tackles. See the MGoBlog report from the game, including video.
This Week: Canton South (0-1) @ Canfield.

MI WR/TE Jeremy Jackson

Last Week: Ann Arbor Huron fell to Chelsea 35-29. Jeremy had 6 receptions for 86 yards, including a 48-yarder. He also added 3 tackles and 6 assisted tackles from his free safety spot (where he actually looked pretty good, at least at the high school level). Original MGoHighlights:

This Week: Tecumseh @ Ann Arbor Huron (0-1). MGoBlog will either be at this game, or the Pioneer/Dexter game. Leave your preference in the comments.

OH DT Terry Talbott

Last Week: Wayne defeats Cincinnati Princeton 21-4. MGoBlog was there, and you can see the photos here:

We're still having a slight delay on the HD video, but it will be posted when available. Terry finished with 8.5 tackles, 4.5 for loss (18 yards). He also had 1.5 sacks (11 yards) and 2 QB hurries.
This Week: Huber Heights Wayne (1-0) @ Canton McKinley on Saturday.

OH CB Terrence Talbott

Last Week: Wayne defeats Cincinnati Princeton 21-4. MGoBlog was there, and you can see the photo gallery above.
This Week: Huber Heights Wayne @ Canton McKinley.

SC QB Cornelius Jones

Last Week: Spartanburg defeats Union 35-0.

"Jones ran for touchdowns of 3, 1 and 3 yards and completed 6 of 7 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown."

“He’s a very athletic quarterback and you have to give Spartanburg credit, they just took it to us,” Union County coach David Lipsey said.

As with last week, Clarence Beeks gives us the dish.

This Week: Spartanburg (1-1) @ Northwestern.
Season Totals:

MI RB Austin White

Last Week: Stevenson falls to crosstown rival Franklin 7-21. Austin has 14 carries for 64 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown for the Spartans' only points. Rivals has video of White's performance. Be forewarned, though - it caused my browser to lock up once.
This Week: Howell @ Livonia Stevenson (0-1) on Thursday. Leave comments on whether you'd rather have MGoBlog at this game, or Devin's game in Grand Rapids on Thursday.

TX RB Stephen Hopkins

Last Week: Marcus pounded Grapevine 62-28. Boxscore. Hopkins had 13 carries for 78 yards and touchdowns of 4 and 6 yards.
This Week: Plano West @ Marcus (1-0).

OH WR/S DJ Williamson

Last Week: Harding tied Shaw 24-24. Second article. No mention of Williamson in either paper.
This Week: Chaney @ Warren G. Harding (0-0-1).

OH OL Christian Pace

Last Week: Season preview fluff. Avon Lake upset 28-16.
This Week: Avon Lake (0-1) @ Brunswick

OH LB Antonio Kinard

Last Week: Liberty defeats East 17-6.
This Week: Niles @ Liberty (1-0).

OH CB Courtney Avery

Last Week: Lexington led 7-3 when the game was suspended due to weather:

When the game was suspended, Avery was 6 of 7 passing for 91 yards with one TD and one interception.

Once the game resumed, he picked up where he left off, leading to a 42-17 victory.:

The Minutemen had big plays throughout the game as Avery connected on 18 of 28 passes for 278 yards and three TDs, including scoring connections to Kenya Coombs (53 yards), Brian Byrne (28 yards) and Kevin Smith (3 yards).

The touchdown was a 53-yarder.
This Week: Mart @ Lexington (1-0).

TX RB Tony Drake

Last Week: Skyline's season doesn't open up until this Friday.
This Week: Kimball @ Skyline.

LA Slot WR Drew Dileo

Last Week: Dileo's season doesn't start until the 11th.
This Week: Dileo's season doesn't start until the 11th.

PA DE Ken Wilkins

Last Week: Season preview fluff. Individual preseason fluff:

"He's an unbelievable physical talent," Trinity coach Ed Dalton said. "He's very muscular, and he has a 28-inch waist. He looks like an NFL player today. He's not going to take a year in college to get that physical look. He already has it. He's blessed physically."

...

"[Committing early to Michigan] was a relief off my shoulders," Wilkins said. "I found out where I wanted to go, and there was no point in letting the pressure build up. It was a good position to be in to be wanted by all those schools, but I wanted to do what was best for me."

Trinity's regular season has not started yet.
This Week: Canon-McMillian @ Trinity.

PA DE Jordan Paskorz

Last Week: Season preview fluff. Individual preseason fluff:

A hybrid defensive end/linebacker, Paskorz has carved a reputation as one of the WPIAL's elite players. Various blog writers question how elite...

"Everyone is entitled to their own wrong opinions," DeMatteo said. "Honestly, I can only base mine from working with the kid, but it's hard to find a player of his caliber. He worked hard, he devoted time early in the morning and he didn't miss workouts [ed - too soon?]. Jordan has been a quiet leader, and at least to me, he's exemplified what a Division I player should be."

What isn't questioned is Paskorz's athleticism. His muscular frame -- and the potential to add more bulk -- is evident. He runs a 40-yard dash in about 4.7 seconds and can dunk a basketball from a standing position. Paskorz, who also plays tight end, had nine sacks for a Talbots squad that struggled to a 1-8 finish in 2008.

This Week: Hampton @ Blackhawk

FL S Marvin Robinson

Last Week: Season preview fluff:

Anchoring that secondary will be senior safety Marvin Robinson, who Reynolds called "one of the best players in the school's history."

The article goes on to mention that he is being recruited by schools like Ohio State and Michigan. OK, but which one has he committed to, moron?

This Week: Lake Region @ Winter Haven.

The high school football season is officially underway. Only one of Michigan's commits (Cornelius Jones) has played in an official game thus far, but there have been several scrimmages that are at least worthwhile to mention, and lots of season previewin' has been going down. If you run across a game article on any of these guys, make sure you drop it in the comments.

SC QB Cornelius Jones

 

Season preview fluff.

Last Week: Spartanburg lost to Dorman 20-7. Dorman ran for 295 yards, and Jones had a somewhat rough outing. Video. MGoMember Clarence Beeks was there, and gives a somewhat grim scouting report.

This Week: Spartanburg (0-1) @ Union county on Friday.

MI QB Devin Gardner

Pre-season fluff.

This week: Inkster v. Pioneer at Eastern Michigan on Saturday at 8PM. MGoBlog will be there will photo & video.

MI WR Ricardo Miller

Ann Arbor area capsules.

Inkster v. Pioneer at Eastern Michigan on Saturday at 8PM. MGoBlog will be there with photo & video.

OH WR Jerald Robinson

He'll produce this year, despite drawing heavy coverage from opponents.

This week: Dover @ Canton South on Thursday. MGoBlog tentatively plans to be there with photo and video.

OH DT Terry & CB Terrence Talbott

Wayne #3 in preseason power rankings. Dayton-area season hype.

This week: Princeton @ Wayne on Thursday. MGoBlog tentatively plans to be there with photo and video.

TX RB Stephen Hopkins

Hopkins is a player to watch on Marcus's improved squad. They may challenge for the district title. Hopkins will play both RB and LB this fall.

This week: Marcus @ Grapevine on Friday.

MI RB Austin White

White hopes to lead Stevenson to a state title.

This week: Stevenson @ Livonia Franklin on Friday.

OH WR/DB DJ Williamson

Warren G. Harding preseason preview. Williamson will start at WR and play some corner as well.

This week: East Cleveland Shaw @ Harding on Friday.   

LA WR Drew Dileo

Dileo #46 player in the state.

This week: Parkview @ Christian Life Academy on Friday.

MI WR/TE Jeremy Jackson

Ann Arbor area capsules.

This week: Huron v. Chelsea @ Eastern Michigan on Saturday at 5PM.

OH OL Christian Pace

Avon Lake predicted to be conference champions.

This week: Maple Heights @ Avon Lake on Friday.

FL S Marvin Robinson

Preseason 2nd-team all-state. #22 player to watch this year in Florida.

This week: Lake Region @ Mulberry on Friday.

OH CB Courtney Avery

Featured on the cover of the Mansfield News-Journal's preseason magazine (seen at left).

This week: Lexington @ Smithville On Friday.

OH LB Antonio Kinard

A regional player to watch:

Antonio Kinard, Youngstown Liberty, RB/LB, Sr., 6-4, 210: Michigan recruit has size and mobility between the tackles. Collected over 80 tackles and six sacks as a junior.

This week: East @ Liberty on Friday.

TX RB Tony Drake

Skyline is pre-season #3 in their district.

The Raiders don't start their season until next week.

PA DE Ken Wilkins

The Hillers don't start their season until next week.

PA DE Jordan Paskorz

The Talbots don't start their season until next week.

Last year at my old digs, I chronicled the weekly performances of Michigan commits in their final season of high school ball. That feature, Friday Night Lights, will make the move with me to MGoBlog. High school football news is not always so easy to come by, even in today's internet-centric world, so let me know if you have any additional information for any installment of the series.

MI QB Devin Gardner

By all accounts, Gardner is poised for a monstrous senior season. He's worked hard over the offseason on improving his ability to throw the ball, his conditioning should be at a peak, and his Inkster Vikings are expected to be one of the best teams in the state of Michigan.

There are a couple things that could hold him back: The Vikings play every single game on the road, including a couple trips to the Cleveland area, and another to Steubenville, Ohio (damn near in West Virginia). He also lost his #1 target from last year in current Wolverine Cameron Gordon. Still, look for excellent numbers from Devin in this space.

SC QB Cornelius Jones

Jones's season last year went poorly, as did his team's. However, Spartanburg should be one of the most improved in the area, and Jones will try to put up better numbers. In his second year under the current coaching staff, and Cornelius's second playing high school football, there's nowhere to go but up.

TX RB Stephen Hopkins

Hopkins, named one of the best players in the Dallas area, will try to build on a solid junior season and show that he is an elite player. However, he may make more of an impact defensively than carrying the rock.

TX RB Tony Drake

Drake has been a do-everything for Skyline. This year, he should be the starting RB after last year's starter moved on to Iowa State.

MI RB Austin White

White put up pretty good numbers last year, as he led Stevenson to the state semifinals before bowing out to eventual champion Rockford. The only thing that prevented him from getting ridiculous stats was a ton of blowouts. The Spartans should be a pretty strong team again, and White should have the opportunity to continue mixing long runs with steady production on the ground. Look for him to potentially flex out as a receiver more often this year, and hopefully contribute on defense.

MI WR Ricardo Miller

Miller moves from Orlando to Michigan, where he'll be a major boost to Pioneer's receiving corps. He'll be the #1 option for the Pioneers and should put up impressive statistics.

MI WR/TE Jeremy Jackson

Jackson's Huron River Rats are making the transition to a triple-option offense, which doesn't bode well for his receiving numbers. He is also changing positions (probably to tight end), so it remains to be seen what kind of statistics Jeremy will produce in '09.

OH WR Jerald Robinson

Robinson will play both ways for Canton South. Will he make a bigger impact at wide receiver or safety?

OH WR DJ Williamson

Williamson hasn't put up impressive numbers yet in his high school career. However, he has track star speed, and has one more year to impress onlookers.

LA Slot Drew Dileo

Dileo's Parkview Baptist team should be strong as always, and Dileo should perform well. He was the team's MVP last year.

OH OL Christian Pace

Pace helped Avon Lake run over opponents last year (to the tune of 200+ yards per game on the ground), and looks to repeat that performance in 2009. The Shoremen are the #8 team in Northeast Ohio heading into the 2009 season.

OH DT Terry Talbott

Talbott plays defensive tackle for Huber Heights, making statistics pretty hard to find for him. Huber Heights should field a pretty good team this year, though.

PA DE Jordan Paskorz

Paskorz is one of the lower-rated kids in Michigan's '10 class. He'll have his chance to prove the doubters wrong as a senior.

OH LB Antonio Kinard

Kinard played with current Wolverines Fitzgerald Toussaint and Isaiah Bell last year. Will he have a good year without them by his side? Kinard returned one fumble 92 yards for a touchdown, and had one 54-yard touchdown run and another for 70+ yards last year. Other information on him is difficult to find.

PA DE Ken Wilkins

Wilkins scored touchdowns on a 55-yard fumble return and a 26-yard blocked punt last year.

FL S Marvin Robinson

Robinson has played both safety and running back for Lake Region. He's been named Preseason 2nd-Team All-State.

OH CB Courtney Avery

Avery is primarily a roboQB for Lexington, though he was also an all-state cornerback last year. Michigan fans are likely more interested in his defensive exploits.

OH CB Terrence Talbott

Talbott is a pure corner for Wayne, who looks to have a big year with a number of junior and senior D-1 prospects.

Apologies for the inconsistent formatting. It will hopefully be much better during the course of the current season.