We talk so much about offense in high school football, but it’s defense that wins championships (as they tell us). Here are some of the top players to watch as the season draws near.
SAM FEENEY, BISHOP CHATARD. Feeney helped the Trojans to the state title last season by finishing with 83 total tackles, five sacks, and nine tackles for loss. Colleges are noticing as well with several D1 schools wanting his services.
JONNY HALL, LUTHERAN. 111 tackles tells us a lot. Hall has been a leader for the Saints over the last two years. Hall may reach 300 total tackles for his career.
JAKE HINTON, GREENFIELD-CENTRAL. Hinton has excellent size (6-4 200) and he is a headhunter.
Hinton registered 115 tackles for the Cougars last season.
CARTER MCKINSTRY, LAWRENCE NORTH. McKinstry is an All-State performer for the Wildcats after leading LN with 101 tackles and five sacks. 10 of his tackles were for loss.
WILL HARRIS, PARK TUDOR. Tackles are the name of his game. Harris had an incredible 152 tackles last season. Harris is 5-11 and weighs 220 pounds. He is a force for the Panthers.
LENNOX CRUZ WILLIAMS, WESTFIELD. Cruz Williams had an excellent sophomore season with 90 tackles and 4.5 sacks. College coaches are taking notice.
JACKSON WEINGART, CATHEDRAL. Weingart made the most of his junior season with 11.5 TFL and 6.5 sacks.
ARTEMAS BRYANT, CARMEL. Bryant has excellent size (6-2 230) and is very quick and athletic. He had 45 solo tackles last season and nine tackles for loss.
LUKE PENOLA, ZIONSVILLE. Penola had 57 tackles with 7 for loss last season.
DJ MORTON, LAWRENCE CENTRAL. Morton turned heads with a strong season as a junior. The senior DB had 61 tackles last season. He has many college coaches wanting his services.
JORDAN PALMER, WHITELAND. Palmer isn’t big (5-10 185) but he can play linebacker. The sophomore- to-be had 85 tackles last season, not bad for a freshman.
LEO MORROW, FISHERS. The speedy Morrow had 59 tackles and three INT’s last season.
LANDON DRENNAN, PLAINFIELD. Drennan is a monster for the Quakers, leading the defense with 91 tackles which included 10.5 for loss. Don’t forget the six sacks.
ELIJAH CHANDLER, CENTER GROVE. Chandler is the type of edge rusher than gives opposing teams fits. Chandler had 67 tackles and nine for loss last season.
MJ CAMPBELL, DECATUR CENTRAL: Campbell is amonsteron defense with 67 tackles and 14 for loss. And don’t forget the 12.5 sacks.
MICHAEL THACKER, NEW PALESTINE. Thacker registered 13 sacks and 34.5 TFL last season. Those are some crazy numbers for a DT.
OTHERS TO WATCH:
AIDEN BEADLES, SOUTH PUTNAM 17.4 TPG, 18 TFL
JAVON FROST, DELPHI 16.4 TPG
PEYTON MEYER, HAGERSTOWN 17 TFL
CARSON FOXEN, AVON 13.1 TPG, 13TFL
CANNON BRUNES, WESTERN BOONE 23TFL, 9 SACKS
CJ HUNT, NORTH WHITE 16.5TFL
ALEX PONCE, CALUMET TECH 14.6 TPG
ZACH BALES, SHERIDAN 11 TPG, 12TFL
MATAIO RUSSELL, LAWRENCE CENTRAL 12.6TPG, 11TFL
AUSTIN HASTINGS, NOBLESVILLE 12.5 TPG
SEAN MCAFEE, CHARLESTOWN 12.5 TPG
NICK JOHNSEN, HIGHLAND 11.2 TPG
NICK TROUT, PENDLETON HEIGHTS 13.0 TPG
KALEB ARCHER, NORTH KNOX 12.0 TPG
LANDON CLEMENTS, MOORESVILLE 10.9 TPG
BRANDON FREEMAN, TH SOUTH 11.6 TPG
JOB HOFFMAN, BELLMONT 11.5 TPG
AVERY MILLS, OAK HILL 12.7 TPG
NOAH JOURDAN, EASTERN 12.2 TPG
NYLAND BROWN, BEN DAVIS 10.9 TPG, 3 SACKS
NICK YATSKO, TH SOUTH 10.9 TPG
WYATT WOODALL, SOUTHMONT 12TFL
ZEKE TRUEBLOOD, BLOOMINGTON NORTH 10.5 TPG, 10TFL
CIAN MOORE, COVINGTON 11.3 TPG
NATE WELLS, CLINTON CENTRAL 10.8 TPG
GAGE BENNETT, FWBC 29.5 TFL, 17 SACKS
NOAH KNIGGA, KNIGHTSTOWN 17TFL
MARQUIS ALLEN, MUNCIE CENTRAL 10.3 TPG, 10TFL
KALEB UTLEY, EVANSVILLE REITZ 15 SACKS
LEVI OXLEY, EVANSVILLE REITZ 15 SACKS
BRADY WOLF, FISHERS 14 SACKS
ASHTON JOSEPH PESETSKI, FW CARROLL 11 SACKS
ELI EDWARDS, EASTERN 10.5 SACKS
DEMETRIUS DAVIS, INDY SHORTRIDGE 13 SACKS
TOBY BISHOP, SOUTH DECATUR 11.5 SACKS
SETH PIRTLE, SULLIVAN 9 INT
CHRISTIAN FUENTES, CALUMET CHRISTIAN 8 INT
DYLAN BOWMAN, EASTERN HANCOCK 7 INT
TYLER VERSCHURE, VALPO 7 INT
MYKELL ANDREWS, COLUMBUS CRUSADERS 6 INT
TYRONN LARKIN, GLENN 6 INT