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It is still early in the year, but the state of Indiana began its high school football season this past Friday night. Since three of Purdue eight commitments in the 2014 class are from Indiana that meant that they got their seasons underway already. Here is how week 1 went:
Gelen Robinson - Lake Central HS, IN - Lost 27-9 to Munster - Lake Central is effective playing up in class this year. This is the first year that Indiana will have six football classes instead of five. Essentially, Class 5A split in half with the 32 largest schools now forming a "Super" Class. It is also the first year in which a school can be forced to move up based on a success factor. A school gets one point for winning a sectional, two for winning a regional, three for winning a semi-state, and four for winning a state title. If that school amasses six points or more in a two year span they are moved up in class for two years. An example is Indianapolis Cathedral, who has won three straight state championships. Since this year accounts for the past two seasons they have eight points and are now playing up in Class 5A instead of 4A.
Cathedral (4A to 5A), Indianapolis Chatard (3A to 4A), Ft. Wayne Luers (2A to 3A) and Lafayette Central Catholic (1A to 2A) were all repeat winners in the first two years period and automatically are playing up from their normal classes. Indianapolis Scecina, who was runner-up in Class A to Central Catholic, also moved up by collecting six points from two semi-state titles.
Lake Central moved up because they are one of the state's largest schools, so they easily moved into Class 6A. Robinson's team did not have a solid beginning even though Gelen played some offense. He had 21 yards rushing on five carries as a bruising fullback.
Denzel Ward - Bradenton, FL IMG Academy - Beat Palm Beach Lakes 38-0 - This is the first year that IMG Academy officially has its own football team and it had a solid debut. Unfortunately, Ward is no longer there:
I am no longer living in Florida, I am back in Chicago for senior year so all recruiting sites can change that.
— Denzel Ward (@_KingDW) August 11, 2013
He also is still a Purdue commit, but will visit UCLA after getting an offer:
Purdue is my school but my family want to make sure I've been other places so I can know why I'm solid on Purdue. #ThisIsOurPurdue
— Denzel Ward (@_KingDW) August 27, 2013
We'll wait nervously on this one.
Drue Tranquill - Carroll HS, Ft. Wayne, IN - Beat Goshen 55-0 - Carroll HS is also playing in the new Class 6A this season and Tranquill was very impressive in the opener. He ran for two touchdowns, caught a third, and threw a fourth as Carroll had few problems with Goshen. His younger brother, a 2015 prospect, also had a TD. Some highlights:
Tranquill is also potentially on the fence with Notre Dame trying to poach him.
David Blough - Creekview HS, Carrollton, TX - Season Starts August 30 vs. Chisholm Trail
Austin McGehee - Pine Bluff, AR HS - Season Starts September 6 vs. Northside (Ft. Smith)
Gregory Phillips - Arabia Mountain HS , Lithonia, GA - Beat Clarkston 40-7 - Phillips, a wide receiver, was the beneficiary of quarterback Trevous Reynolds throwing for 231 yards and four scores in the 40-7 win. He had 5 catches for 152 yards and three of those touchdowns.
Kirk Barron - Marian HS, Mishawaka, IN - Beat DeKalb 44-7 - Marian is ranked fourth in class 3A but will have to deal with Luers this year, who has won four straight Class 2A championships. Barron blocked well as the Marian offense had 417 total yards.
Trae Hart - First Baptist Academy, Dallas, TX - Season Starts August 31 vs. Colleyville Covenant