November is officially here, which means it’s the time when the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders in high school football. If last week’s performances are any indication, Nebraska’s 2017 recruiting class has a lot of kids that are for real. Highlights of the past week include a near perfect performance from Tristan Gebbia, a third straight dominant performance by Brenden Jaimes and the triumphant return of Austin Allen from injury.
We’re taking a quick look back on how the future Nebraska Huskers performed in week ten of high school football, including an exclusive interview with our player of the week, Allen.
Willie Hampton
American Heritage (Fla.) defeated Hallendale (Fla.) 40-6
Willie Hampton and the Patriots continued their roll into the state playoffs, shutting down Hallendale 40-6. Hampton was part of yet another dominant defensive performance, as the Patriot defense held Hallendale to less than 200 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers in the victory. Hampton contributed four tackles and two tackles for a loss in the Patriot victory. The win earned Heritage the district title, as it enters the playoffs undefeated.
Season Stats: 43 tackles, 12 TFL, 2 FF, 1 INT
Next Week: American Heritage (9-0) will have a BYE week.
Jaevon McQuitty
Battle (Mo.) defeated Raytown (Mo.) 44-13
Jaevon McQuitty did not play in Battle’s first playoff game this season, as the talented wide receiver sat out due to a shoulder injury. He is hoping to make it back for Battle’s next playoff game against Belton.
Season Stats: 39 receptions, 854 receiving yards (21.9 yards per reception), 12 TDs
Next Week: Battle (10-0) will face Belton (7-3) in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Class 5 state playoffs.
Keyshawn Johnson Jr.
Calabasas (Calif.) defeated Thousand Oaks (Calif.) 47-14
Keyshawn Johnson Jr. put on another solid performance last Friday, catching three passes for 54-yards and a touchdown as the Coyotes rolled to a 47-14 victory on senior night. The victory pushed Calabasas’ record to 9-0 entering its season finale against Moorpark.
Season Stats: 33 receptions, 569 receiving yards (17.2 yards per reception), 7 TDs
Next Week: Calabasas (9-0) will host Moorpark (7-2) in their regular season finale.
Tristan Gebbia
Calabasas (Calif.) defeated Thousand Oaks (Calif.) 47-14
Tristan Gebbia saved his best performance for senior night, as the Husker commit was almost perfect in the Coyotes’ 47-14 victory. Gebbia completed 18-of-22 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. The victory also pushed Gebbia’s record as a starter to a sterling 23-2. Calabasas will now look to finish its perfect regular season this Friday against Moorpark.
Season Stats: 179/248 (72.2 completion percentage), 2,794 passing yards, 32 TDs, 5 INTs
Next Week: Calabasas (9-0) will host Moorpark (7-2)
Brenden Jaimes
Lake Travis (Texas) defeated Vista Ridge (Texas) 61-7
Brenden Jaimes and company continued their late season roll, crushing Vista Ridge 61-7. This game marked the third consecutive game where Lake Travis scored 60+ points and the sixth consecutive game in which it defeated its opponents by 30 or more points. Jaimes helped pave the way for a Cavalier attack that racked up 581 total yards of offense and eight touchdowns.
Next Week: Lake Travis (8-1) will face Vandegrift (5-4) with the district title on the line.
Broc Bando
IMG Academy (Fla.) shut out Long Beach Poly (Calif.) 34-0
Another Friday means another dominant performance by IMG Academy, as the Ascenders went cross-country to shut out traditional California powerhouse Long Beach Poly 34-0. Broc Bando and his line mates put together another solid performance, paving the way for over 300 rushing yards in the Ascenders victory.
Next Week: IMG (8-0) will travel to face Chaminade-Madonna (7-2).
Matt Sichterman
Kings (Ohio) defeated Withrow (Ohio) 41-6
Matt Sichterman and his line mates put on a solid performance last Friday, racking up 215 rushing yards in the Knights 41-6 victory. This pushed the Knights record to 8-2 entering the state playoffs, as the team appears to be fully recovered from its mid-season slump.
Next Week: Kings (8-2) will travel to face Miamisburg (8-2) in the first round of the Ohio Division II state playoffs.
Avery Roberts
Wilmington Concord (Del.) defeated Wilmington Charter 42-6
No individual stats have been reported for this game, but highlights can be seen below.
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3012571/581520f7688ec21a80859b66
Season Stats: 84 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 TFL, 3 FF (Stats current through eight games)
Next week: Wilmington Concord (6-2) has a home conference game against Delcastle Technical (0-8).
Deontre Thomas
Mustand (Okla.) defeated Southmoore (Okla.) 22-21
Deontre Thomas and his teammates won one of the craziest high school games of the season, hitting a 26-yard field goal with four seconds left to defeat Southmoore. Thomas was instrumental in helping the Mustangs pull off the victory. No individual stats have been reported.
Seasons Stats: 38 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks (Stats current through eight games)
Next Week: Mustang (7-2) will host Union (7-2) in its season finale.
Guy Thomas
Booker T. Washington (Fla.) defeated Edison (Fla.) 34-18
Guy Thomas and company continued their late season surge, shutting down Edison 34-18 for its third straight victory. The victory pushed the Tornadoes’ record to 7-3 entering the Florida Class 4A playoffs.
Next Week: Booker T. Washington (7-3) will host Glades Central (6-3).
Ben Miles
Catholic-BR (La.) defeated Dutchtown (La.) 35-10
No individual stats were returned but highlights are available below.
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3354916/58173f07ed57ee088095b8ff
Next week: Catholic-BR (9-0) will face McKinley (4-5) at home.
Robert Porcher IV
Dr. Phillips (Fla.) defeated Cypress Creek (Fla.) 63-3
Robert Porcher IV and his fellow starters had a relatively short night, as the Panthers jumped out to a 28-0 lead after the first quarter and coasted to a 63-3 victory. No individual stats were reported.
Next week: Dr. Phillips (7-2) travels to Evans (2-7).
Reese Leitao
Jenks (Okla.) defeated Westmoore (Okla.) 63-28
Reese Leitao caught a nine yard touchdown as the Trojans rolled to a 63-28 victory over Westmoore, setting up a titanic clash for the district title. The victory pushed Jenks’ record 9-0 entering its season finale against Edmond Sante Fe.
Season Stats: 21 receptions, 259 receiving yards (12.3 yards per reception) , 2 TDs
Next Week: Jenks (9-0) will host Edmond Santa Fe (8-1) with the district title on the line.
Deiontae Watts
Plano East (Texas) lost to Allen (Texas) 38-31
Plano East didn’t have quite enough in the tank last Friday, falling to undefeated Allen 38-31. Despite the loss, it didn’t diminish the fact that Watts played his best game of the season, tallying five tackles, two tackles for a loss and three quarterback hurries.
Season Stats: 21 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 10 QB hurries
Next Week: Plano East (5-4) will travel to face Plano High (4-5)
Player Of The Week: Austin Allen
Aurora (Neb.) tight end prospect Austin Allen experienced suffered a torn meniscus over the summer which forced him to miss the entire regular football season. Luckily for Allen, his teammates stepped up and pushed the Huskies to a 7-2 record and the No. 8 seed in the Nebraska Class B playoffs, allowing Allen a chance to play football his senior season. Allen made the most of his opportunity, catching five passes for 48 yards on offense while also tallying six tackles and a sack on defense as the Huskies defeated York 24-7.
Allen sat down with Hail Varsity to take part in an interview about his recovery and the Huskies’ road back to Lincoln.
HV: You made your season debut in Aurora’s 24-7 win over York on Friday. What was your stat line and how do you feel about you and your teams performance?
AA: Not sure about defense stats but I had five receptions for 48 yards. I dropped two passes that are passes I should’ve reeled in. Other than that, I think I played pretty well. And as a team, our defense effort was outstanding.
HV: What was it like to finally suit up and play after sitting out the entire regular season. How did your knee feel afterwards?
AA: It was certainly a special feeling to get to suit up and play if front of the home crowd again. The knee felt fine in the game. Saturday morning, it was a little sore but that’s to be expected because that was by far the hardest workout I have done yet.
HV: With the victory, Aurora now moves to the quarterfinals where you will face No. 1 seed Elkhorn South. What will you and your teammates need to do in order to pull out a victory?
AA: We will need to have our best week of practice of the season and nothing less than that to get the job done on Friday.
HV: What did you think about Nebraska’s game against Wisconsin?
AA: It was a well fought game. We played to the end but, like at times last year, we need to finish. We had the chance in overtime when he missed the field goal.
HV: How often are you in contact with the Husker coaches? And which coach do you speak with the most?
AA: Probably every other week. Tavita Thompson is the coach I talk to the most.
HV: Is it different visiting as a commitment as opposed to a visitor?
AA: It is a little bit different. Like last year when I came to a game, I was that guy that was just looking at the school. Now when I go to a game, I am visiting my school.
HV: Are there any current 2017 commits that you’ve befriended over the course of this season?
AA: Yeah, I have spoken with almost all of them. They all seem pretty chill.
HV: We often hear about committed players recruiting other prospects to come to Nebraska. Are there any players you’ve been leaning on to pick Nebraska?
AA: Us committed players usually keep a group chat going and Tristan [Gebbia] will sometimes give a list a guys to work on but I haven’t asked him lately.
HV: Any final things you’d like to say to Husker fans?
AA: Go Big Red!
