Weekday Warriors 2011: 11-22

This week, I finally sort the players by who is still actually, you know, playing; Michigan commits will square off against each other in the MHSAA Division 1 title game; and both James Ross and Chris Wormley get a shot at state titles of their own.

Still Playing

MI OL Ben Braden

Rockford was able to jump out to a 17-7 lead against Catholic Central in the state semifinals, but weren't able to hold on to a three-point lead in overtime—not sudden death in the MHSAA—and the Rams fell 24-20.

This week: Rockford finished the season with an 11-2 record.

MI DT Matt Godin

Godin didn't know his stats when I texted him, but he said he "played OK" and was "just happy we got the W and are on our way to get a ring next weekend." He did tally a critical fourth-down stop in the second half to help the Shamrocks beat Rockford in a 24-20 overtime thriller.

This week: The Shamrocks face Cass Tech—featuring Royce Jenkins-Stone and Terry Richardson—in the Division 1 state title game at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Ford Field. You can see the game live on FSD+ (channel 901 on Comcast) in the Detroit area.

MI LB Royce Jenkins-Stone

Cass Tech toughed out another close victory with Jenkins-Stone (pictured at right) providing the scoring, as he rushed for 122 yards on 22 carries and a one-yard TD in the second quarter to lead the Technicians to a 6-3 win over Utica Eisenhower in the state semifinals:

After gaining 38 yards on 14 carries over the first three quarters, Jenkins-Stone ran for 84 yards on eight carries in the fourth period.

"This time I put the team on my back," he said. "I kept telling Coach to run that G-sweep and I got you -- I'll get you that first down."

The Cass line did open some holes for Jenkins-Stone, but so many yards were the result of his determination.

"I thought that back -- he gave everything -- he gave second effort,"  [Eisenhower coach Bob] Lantzy said. "He's going to be a great college player."

This week: The Technicians play Catholic Central for the state title on Saturday. With the game at nearby Ford Field, Jenkins-Stone and his teammates will eschew the normal bus ride, saying, "It ain't that long of a walk, we'll make it. It feels better to walk it."

CA OL Erik Magnuson

La Costa Canyon had a first-round bye in the state playoffs.

This week: The Mavericks play Westview on Friday night.

MI CB Terry Richardson

Richardson had three catches for 22 yards in Cass Tech's victory while also playing a big role in shutting down the Eisenhower offense:

Eisenhower (11-2) has as diverse an offense as you could want, but Cass (10-3) allowed just two first downs until the final series of the first half and no second-half first downs until Ike's final series of the game.

"Their quarterback had a very nice arm," Cass cornerback Terry Richardson said. "Basically we tried to show him a whole lot of different looks, that way he couldn't tell the coverage and that helped us out a whole lot."

This week: The Technicians face off against Utica Eisenhower at Troy Athens HS on Saturday at 1.

MI LB James Ross

Ross got banged up and had to leave the game at one point, but contributed a 33-yard reception and helped the St. Mary's defense hold Harper Creek to their lowest point total of the season in a 14-10 semifinal victory.

This week: The Eaglets take on Mt. Pleasant at Ford Field in the Division 3 state title game on Saturday at 7:30. That game will also be televised live on FSD+.

OH DE Tom Strobel

No stats are available for Strobel from Mentor's 23-17 state quarterfinal loss to St. Ignatius, who knocked off Kyle Kalis's St. Edward squad the week prior. Not a fan, guys.

This week: The Cardinals finish the season with an 11-2 record.

Chris Wormley (#47 in blue) helps corral Wadsworth running back Jack Snowball. (Photo credit: Dave Zapotosky/Toledo Blade)

OH DE Chris Wormley:

Whitmer continued their undefeated season with a resounding 37-0 regional final victory over Wadsworth. Wormley was part of a defense that held spectacularly-named Wadsworth RB Jack Snowball, who entered the game with 2,504 yards rushing in 2011, to a season-low 90 yards on 30 carries:

“That was our main focus,” All-Ohio Whitmer defensive end Chris Wormley said of stopping Wadsworth’s star. “Snowball is their entire offense. He had over 2,500 yards rushing coming into the game, and we held him to less than 100. Everyone contributed. We’re ready for next Saturday. We can’t wait to play.”

[UPDATE: Mason checks in with his weekly update:

This wasn't the sort of team that Chris will put up gaudy numbers against. Obviously, all they do is run with Snowball, and most of the time, they ran away from Chris. I had Chris for six tackles, two TFL, and a sack. A solid performance, and one that was more than good enough to beat a completely one-dimensional team.

A word about Snowball: I like him. Runs really hard and has good size. Didn't have a great night, and isn't really fast (his 40 time is 4.56 as recorded as an OSU camp), but he's got to get a look from someone. Right now he has 0 interest of any kind from any DI or IAA school, which is a real shame. He should get a second look from somebody - probably in the MAC, C-USA or maybe even an Indiana-type school in a big conference - and could be a huge college success. I'll be pulling for him.

For those that want to celebrate what I imagine will be a highly-satisfying win over Ohio on Saturday with the delight of hearing a future Wolverine qualify for a state championship game, we'll have it on WRSCsports.com. Pregame at 6:15, kickoff at 7:00. Just sayin'.

Thanks, as always, to Mason for the first-hand report.]

This week: Whitmer faces St. Ignatius, the Wolverine commit-killers, in the state semifinals on Saturday at 7.

After the jump, see the season records of the players whose teams have been eliminated, as well as a link to their season stats, compiled by Touch the Banner.

Season Over

Touch the Banner has compiled a list of season stats. Instead of reposting them here—and stealing Thunder's, er, thunder—I encourage you to head over there and check out the post.

TN OL Blake Bars

Montgomery Bell finished the season with a 6-6 record.

OH LB Joe Bolden

Colerain finished the season at 10-2.

KY S Jeremy Clark

North Hopkins finished the season with a 9-3 record.

MI TE Devin Funchess

Harrison finished the season with a 10-1 record.

OH S Allen Gant

Southview finished the season with a 9-2 record.

UT FB Sione Houma

Highland finished the season with a 7-4 record.

MI RB Drake Johnson

Pioneer finished the season with a 9-3 record.

OH OL Kyle Kalis

St. Edward ended the season with an 8-4 record.

MI DE Mario Ojemudia

Harrison finished the season at 10-1.

MO DT Ondre Pipkins

Park Hill finished the season with a 5-5 record.

OH LB Kaleb Ringer

Ringer sat out the end of the season due to a strained MCL suffered early on in the year. Northmont finished 4-6 on the year.

OH OL Caleb Stacey

Oak Hills finished the season at 4-6.

IL CB Anthony Standifer

Crete-Monee finished the season with a 10-1 record.

OH TE A.J. Williams

Sycamore finished the season with an 8-3 record.

OH S Jarrod Wilson

Buchtel finished their season with a 6-4 record.

2013 Commits

MI QB Shane Morris

De La Salle finished the season with a 9-3 record.

OH RB/S Dymonte Thomas

Marlington finished the season at 8-2.