Commit tracker: Althoff opens with lopsided win

It was opening week for high school football all across the country, and most of the Fighting Illini commits in the class of 2018 were in action.

Jordyn Slaughter, OL, Belleville (Ill.) Althoff Catholic.

The Althoff Crusaders defense dominated on Friday, shutting out Collinsville 42-0 in a nonconference win at Lindenwood University-Belleville.

Slaughter, who has added muscle this season, helped get the Althoff ground game going.

"We started off running the ball because we are more of a running team this year," Slaugher said. "That's what we did the first half."

Slaughter committed to Illinois in June after a strong performance at an Illini satellite camp in St. Louis.

It was the opener for the Crusaders on Friday, and Slaughter said it took him a while to knock the rust off, but he got into a rhythm as the game moved along.

"I started off kind of jittery, because I'm just trying to get back into it," he said. "In the second half, I kind of found my groove and played my best. I didn't give up any sacks, so that's a good thing. "

At 309 pounds, Slaughter fits the profile that Illinois is looking for in offensive linemen. OC Garrick McGee wants the power running game to set the tone, and Slaughter is road grader in the mode of 2016 recruit Larry Boyd.

According to Slaughter, he will start out playing guard at Illinois. He believes the Illini are building a future contender.

"In a couple of year we are going to be running the Big Ten," he said. "Our recruiting class is looking great. A lot of people are underestimating it because it's not that big of a class, but we have some sleepers."

Slaughter said he plans to make it up Champaign for the Illini game against Nebraska on Sept. 29.

Coran Taylor, QB, Peoria (Ill.).

Defending state champion Peoria fell to Normal West 70-46. Taylor completed 12 of 33 passes for 233 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He had a big night on the ground, rushing for 181 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Normal West running back Genesis Forrest rushed for 265 yards on 25 carries. Taylor’s best play came on a 65-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Kaevion Mack. SEMO commit Geno Hess rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Next game: @ Peoria Richwoods, Friday, Sept. 1.

Khalan Tolson, LB, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Admiral Farragut.

Admiral Farragut fell to Calvary Christian 42-13 in the season opener for both teams. Tolson posted 8 tackles and scored a rushing touchdown on offense. Next game: vs. Superior Collegiate, Friday, Sept. 1

Jartavius Martin, DB, Lehigh Acres, (Fla.) Lehigh.

The opener vs. Sebring was suspended due to weather. It has been tentatively rescheduled for Oct. 9. Next game: vs. Dunbar (Ft Meyers, Texas) Thursday, Aug. 31.

Ron Hardge, DB, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons

Carlos Sandy, WR, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons.

Cardinal Gibbons convincingly defeated defending Florida Class 8A state champion Miami Southridge 27-6 on Saturday. Sandy grabbed touchdown passes of 23 and 22 yards respectively from junior quarterback Nik Scalzo. Sclazo, who holds an Illini offer, completed 13-22 passes for 224 yards. Hardge had 3 tackles and 1 PBU. Next game: vs. American Heritage (Delray Beach, Fla.), Friday, Sept. 1

Antwain Walker, DB, Oswego (Ill.) Oswego East.

Walker did major damage in a 36-20 win in Friday's season opener against Joliet West in the Southwest Prairie Conference. Walker took a kick off back 95 yards for a touchdown, and also had a pick 6 of JW quarterback Jaxon Aubry. Next game: @ Romeoville, Friday, Sept. 1.

Julian Pearl, OL, Danville (Ill.) @ Kankakee.

Pearl played tight end and defensive end to help lead Danville to a 12-7 win over Kankakee. Next game: vs Champaign (Ill.) Central, Friday, Sept. 1.

Daniel Barker, TE, Deerfield Beach (Fla.).

Jakari Norwood, RB, Deerfield Beach (Fla.).

Deerfield Beach held off defending Class 6A state champion Carol City 6-2. Carol City got their 2 points on an intentional safety with 3:55 left to play in the game. Deerfield Beach held Miami commit Camron Davis to 12 yards on 10 carries. Barker had 3 catches for 35 yards for the Bucs. Next game: @ St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ), Saturday, Sept. 2

Dallas Bishop Dunne and Illini commits Calvin Avery and Kievan Myers, opens its season next Saturday at Port Arthur. Newest commit Braeden Daniels and Carrollton (Texas) Hebron play Thursday night at Plano.