Weekday Warriors 2011: 9-6 Comment Count

Ace

'Friday Night Lights' is now 'Weekday Warriors', and every week I'll be updating you on the latest performances from Michigan commits as they play out their high school seasons. If you see anything missing or can find an article on a game, please feel free to contact me via Twitter or email. This week, Ondre Pipkins racks up some ridiculous numbers, Mario Ojemudia impresses once again, and Jeremy Clark continues to scare me with his good play (not because I don't want him to be good, but because I want him to stick with his grayshirt commitment).

2012 Commits

TN OL Blake Bars

Montgomery Bell Academy dropped to 1-2 on the season after a 41-17 loss to Brentwood Academy. No stats for Bars, being an offensive lineman and all.

This week: The Big Red look to bounce back at home against Baylor on Friday.

OH LB Joe Bolden

Bolden had a fumble recovery in Colarain's 37-0 thrashing of Ryle. The Cardinals are now 2-0 on the season after beating nationally-ranked Cocoa (FL) last week on ESPN.

This week: Colerain looks to extend their 61-game home winning streak on Friday at 7:30 vs. St. Xavier.

MI OL Ben Braden

Rockford bounced back from their week one loss with a 42-7 blowout win against Holt. Braden helped pave the way sat out due to a concussion as Rockford rushed for 273 yards on 33 carries.

OH DE Pharaoh Brown

Though defensive stats are unavailable at this time, Brown did record a 21-yard touchdown reception in Brush's 42-35 loss to Madison. The Arcs fell to 0-2 on the season with the defeat.

This week: Rockford hosts Grand Haven on Friday at 7.

MI TE Devin Funchess

According to Touch the Banner, Funchess hauled in two receptions for 29 yards in Farmington Hills Harrison's 28-14 victory over Southfield. The defending Division 2 state champs are now 2-0 on the year after last week's evisceration of Cass Tech.

This week: The Hawks will try to continue their in-state dominance in their home opener against Stoney Creek on Friday at 7.

OH S Allen Gant

Gant scored on a three-yard touchdown run to help Southview defeat Toledo Rogers 18-0, with the defense forcing two safeties. He left the game early with an apparent ankle injury, so I might have to change plans for this week's Creeper Van Original. Stay tuned...

This week: Southview (2-0) plays at Toledo Start on Friday at 7. Depending on Gant's status, I may or may not be there.

MI DT Matt Godin

Godin battled illness before Detroit Catholic Central's 14-7 victory over Delphos (OH) St. John's, but you wouldn't know that based on his play. A report from MGoUser Denarded:

Today went down to Delphos, OH to witness future Michigan Wolverine Matt Godin. Had a great day 2 sacks, around 3-4 TFLs, while also knocking out the DSJ quarterback. Maybe the best part after the game Godin rushes to the fence to two guys with Buckeye apparel on, and says "I hope you'll enjoy me doing that to Braxton Miller for 4 years" and walked away. Loved seeing the Buckeye fans faces after that. Wyatt Shallman also looked impressive at RB, scored a touchdown probably ran for 70-80 yards.

TTB adds that Godin recorded ten tackles on top of the two sacks, handful of TFLs, and one awesome bit of trash talkin'.

This week: The Shamrocks play Inkster at home on Friday at 7.

UT FB Sione Houma

Houma had another outstanding performance, rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries in Highland's 42-6 victory over Provo. MGoUser Spishak was on hand for the first half, and had this to report (thanks to MichFan1997 for posting it as a new thread):

The home announcer pronounces his name, Say-own-ee Hoo-ma.  They have quite a few polynesian players on the team, so I would imagine his pronunciation is correct.  Who knows?

Sione plays OLB and FB/RB.  He almost always is the soul back and lines up in a 3-point stance about 2 yards behind the QB.  Their offense is NOT fancy. They did not once line up with more than two wideouts; they ran 80% of the time; mostly QB keepers.  Houma runs between the tackles and right at the defense.  Very fullback-ish.  Didn't get to see his speed on display, if he has any.  He is definitely a thumper; solidly built.  He is 6', 6'1" in cleats.  The program had him listed as 6'1", 210(!).  Probably 195, IMO.  He played only 1/3 of the defensive plays and they nearly always lined him up right on the DE's ass.  (As a strange sidenote, their program had 22 players listed as RB's.  Highland played onlyHouma in the backfield, though he didn't get many touches.)

His stats (for one half): 2.5 tackles (one tfl); 40 yds rushing, TD, on only 5 carries.  His longest carry was 15 yards. They simply didn't need him much tonight as they had their opponent (Provo) very outmatched.

Best "Sione Houma: Soul Back" photoshop wins the undying admiration of your internet peers, which has to count for something.

This week: The Rams look to move to 4-0 on the season when they host Lone Peak on Friday at 7.

MI LB Royce Jenkins-Stone

Cass Tech took out their frustrations from last week's FHH loss on Detroit Central, coming away with a 62-6 victory as RJS contributed three touchdowns, including a blocked punt return. More on this game later in the post.

This week: The Technicians play at 4 on Friday afternoon at Detroit Southeastern.

OH OL Kyle Kalis

Kalis sat out St. Edward's 47-6 victory over Penn Hills, missing his second straight game to start the year due to a (not serious) knee injury suffered in a preseason scrimmage.

This week: The Eagles host Cardinal Mooney on Saturday at 7:30.

CA OL Erik Magnuson

Magnuson's La Costa Canyon squad won their season debut 48-0 over Huntington Beach Marina in a battle of schools whose names make me want to move to California. The Mavericks had two different running backs break 80 yards rushing as they dominated up front, I'm sure in large part due to Magnuson's rather large presence.

This week: LCC plays Poway at home on Friday at 7.

MI DE Mario Ojemudia

Did you know Farmington Hills Harrison is ranked as the number six team in the country by SI.com? Well, they are, and in this week's rundown Ojemudia came in for some high praise from Ben Glicksman:

Despite a loaded receiving corps (see: Aaron Burbridge, Devin Funchess, Gairus Coleman) defensive end Mario Ojemudia might be the Hawks' best player. The Michigan commit collected another two sacks against the Bluejays, building off a terrific 127-tackle, 12-sack junior year campaign.

You can see one of those two sacks in the following video from Fox 2:

Farmington Hills Harrison vs Southfield: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Fox's local sports guy might want to work on that pronunciation.

This week: The Hawks play their home opener against Stoney Creek on Friday at 7.

MO DT Ondre Pipkins

Pipkins led off The Wolverine's commitment updates ($) due to recording five tackles, three pass deflections, and three forced fumbles in Park Hill's 23-0 shutout of Ruskin. Park Hill is now 2-0 on the season.

This week: The Trojans travel (not far, I imagine) to Park Hill South on Friday at 7.

MI CB Terry Richardson

Richardson added to Cass Tech's onslaught with a touchdown reception, which you can see in these local highlights (he's #9 in white).

This week: The Technicians play at 4 on Friday afternoon at Detroit Southeastern.

OH LB Kaleb Ringer

Northmont dropped to 0-2 on the season with a 32-21 loss to Princeton as Ringer sat out his second straight game with a broken wrist. Based on his Twitter feed, it sounds like Ringer is hopeful for a return this week against Archbishop Moeller.

This week: Northmont travels to Archbishop Moeller for a Saturday night game at 7.

MI LB James Ross

Orchard Lake St. Mary's fell to Toledo St. John's Jesuit, 34-14, in their home opener. No stats are available for Ross at this time.

This week: St. Mary's hosts Highland Park on Friday at 7.

OH OL Caleb Stacey

Oak Hills improved to 1-1 with a 21-17 road win at Harrison.

This week: The Highlanders open their home slate on Friday at 7:30 against Loveland.

IL CB Anthony Standifer

According to his Twitter account (highlight the text to see the white type), Standifer recorded his first interception of the season–and 10th of his career–in Crete-Monee's 35-0 victory over Lincoln-Way West. The Warriors improved to 2-0 as 2013 WR Laquon Treadwell had a huge game, pulling in five catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yarder.

This week: Crete-Monee travels to Moline on Friday at 7:30.

OH DE Tom Strobel

According to TTB, Strobel had one solo tackle and five assists in Mentor's 38-27 victory over defending Division V state champ Youngstown Ursuline.

This week: The Cardinals host St. Ignatius on Friday at 7:30.

OH TE A.J. Williams

Williams didn't record a catch as Sycamore pulled out a 28-21 win over Springboro to improve to 2-0 on the season.

This week: The Aviators look to stay undefeated at Springfield on Friday night at 7:30.

OH S Jarrod Wilson

No stats to report for Wilson as Akron Buchtel fell to Steubenville, 22-6, dropping to 0-2 in 2011.

This week: The Griffins look to record their first win on the road against Solon on Friday at 7.

OH DE Chris Wormley:

Wormley had three tackles (I've seen it reported as high as eight, which means someone was doing some very generous stat-taking), two QB hurries, two TFLs, and a sack to help Toledo Whitmer beat A.B. Lucas Secondary School, 41-0, in this week's Creeper Van Original:

This week: The Panthers host another Canadian squad as they look to improve to 3-0 against Brantford (Ontario) Collegiate on Friday at 7.

2013 Commits

KY S Jeremy Clark

Clark had another great game as North Hopkins defeated Hardin, 34-21, as the Michigan commit recorded six tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown.

This week: The Maroons (2-1) travel to Hopkinsville on Friday at 7.

MI QB Shane Morris

Although, for some reason, HighSchoolSports.net thinks Warren De La Salle's quarterback is named Zach Bihary, it was Shane Morris who completed 10-of-16 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in their 34-6 win over Flint Carmen-Ainsworth.

This week: De La Salle plays at Fordson on Friday at 7.

Comments

GoWings2008

September 6th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^

No worries about this kid changing his mind on Signing Day...

 "Maybe the best part after the game Godin rushes to the fence to two guys with Buckeye apparel on, and says "I hope you'll enjoy me doing that to Braxton Miller for 4 years" and walked away."

Slim_Hype

September 6th, 2011 at 2:53 PM ^

We have to offer that scholarship to Jeremy. I have dreams of a 6'4 press coverage corner like him...  With long arms and 4.4 speed. Even though hes a saftey we can at least try, right?

Spishak

September 6th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^

Re-read what I type before I hit the "save" button or face the possibility of never living down a type-o.  Will do. At least in my oversight I may have unwittingly stumbled upon a nickname for the kid.  Thanks for the updates, Ace.

Ace

September 6th, 2011 at 3:20 PM ^

Glad you see the upside to the typo, Spishak - that wasn't meant to be a dig at all, especially since I've been known to have a typo or two go unnoticed myself. If I can get some good highlights of Houma after this season, I think I might have to make a tape with the "Soul Train" intro as the background music.

Lesson: If you're going to make a typo, make it awesome.

Spishak

September 6th, 2011 at 6:11 PM ^

I will try to get some Houma video this week so you can make that dream a reality.  Had camera problems last week.  Hope to get out and film him at least a few more times this season. It is very easy for me, as his H.S. is around the corner from my house.  Let me know if you want any specific info from/about him, as it would be pretty simple to stop by and talk to him before/after a practice.

Ace

September 6th, 2011 at 4:14 PM ^

With the unreliability of high school stats (and the time-consuming nature of putting together HTML tables), both in terms of how informative they really are and their accuracy, we thought it wasn't worth it to do the tables this year. At the end of the year I'll do my best to put together season stats for the skill position guys, but it's just too tough to do for defensive players (and obviously offensive linemen).

Next year Shane Morris will probably merit a table, but, well, that's for next year.

Bodogblog

September 6th, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^

on that Southfield High TD?  OMG AB BEATEN BY ZERO STARZ OVERRATED

s/   (I wish he was coming here.)

Ojemudia beats 2 blockers on his sack.  Just went around both of them.  Crazy speed for a DE running down that QB.

RowoneEndzone

September 7th, 2011 at 8:01 AM ^

That really sucks that he sat out due to a concussion.  I hope this doesn't effect him in the long term.  If they are bad enough it can really F with ones desire to headbutt donkeys.

MJ14

September 8th, 2011 at 12:11 AM ^

Jeremy Clark looks like a college ready player who should have bigger offers than he does. It's nice to see him having a great year so far, because quite frankly Tim was a jerk about him.