Texas RB Washington sets scoring record
Maurice Washington of Cedar Hill (Texas) Trinity Christian Academy stole the show on offense at the Under Armour AllAmerican Game, scoring three touchdowns — two of them in the first quarter — to spur Team Highlight to a 23-21 victory over Team Spotlight at Camping World Stadium Thursday night.
It is the first time in the 11-year history of the event that a player has scored three times.
Washington, who has yet to declare his college intentions, scored on a 20-yard run on the first series of the game and then caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dorian ThompsonRobinson of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman later in the first quarter. Thompson-Robinson is committed to UCLA. The two early Washington touchdowns staked
Team Highlight to a 13-0 lead after a missed extra point on a chilly, 45-degree night in Orlando.
Washington also opened the second half with a 63-yard kickoff return to set up Team Highlight’s third score of the game. Following a short pass to Miami commit Brevin Jordan of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman to get the ball to the 2-yard line, Washington finished it off with his third touchdown of the game.
The Orlando area was represented by two players in Jones High cornerback Sevyn Banks, an Ohio State signee, and East Ridge receiver Justin Watkins, who was supposed to announce his commitment at the game, but changed his mind earlier this week with the Florida Gators entering the picture.
Watkins had narrowed his choices to LSU and Alabama, but late interest from Florida’s new coaching staff under Dan Mullen opened Watkins’ eyes a bit and he will officially visit Gainesville next week. He has also knocked Alabama from his list and his choice will now come down to LSU or the Gators.
One of the biggest gains among plays from the first half came on a 26-yard punt return from Watkins.
Team Spotlight finally got on the board in the third quarter with a touchdown pass from Nebraska signee Adrian Martinez to Penn State commit Ricky Slade Jr., of Woodbridge (Va.) Hylton.
Spotlight also scored to start the fourth quarter with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Jacksonville Bartram Trail quarterback Joey Gatewood, an Auburn signee, to Hollywood Chaminade Madonna’s Xavier Williams, an Alabama signee.
Also in the first quarter, Plantation American Heritage receiver Anthony Schwartz, the reigning state 100- and 200-meter sprint champion, announced his commitment to Auburn.
There were four commitments during the game. The remaining three were: Defensive end Tyreke Smith of Cleveland Heights (Ohio) committed to Ohio State; linebacker Nik Bonitto of Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas is headed to Oklahoma; and defensive end Jason Oweh of Howell (N.J.) Blair Academy committed to Penn State.