(THE SPORTSPAGE)
The high school football season kicks-off August 18 and it’s time to take a look at the best of the best entering a new season. Mine you, this is in no particular order. These are the favorites to be in the running for Mr. Football.
TYLER CHERRY, CENTER GROVE: The defending 6A champions will have their leader back in QB Tyler Cherry. Cheery will play his college football at Duke after leading the Trojans to another possible state title. Cherry’s numbers were solid as a junior passing for 2,269 yards with 22 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Cheery is also very accurate completing 65% of his passes. Cherry will be better as a senior and will have to be with another very daunting schedule ahead of the Trojans.
NOAH COY, CENTER GROVE: Let’s stay with the defending 6A champions and put the name of Noah Coy in the mix. Coy may be a baseball player (Cincinnati recruit), but his football skills at receiver are second to none. While catching passes from Cherry, Coy caught 61 passes for over 1,000 yards and 13 scores. Cheery to Coy will be a huge weapon for the Trojans again this season.
THOMAS GOTKOWSKI, BEN DAVIS: If the Giants are to be series threat in 6A football this season, Tomas Gotkowski will need to have a huge season. Gotkowski was excellent last season for the Giants passing for 2,341 yards with 24TD’s. Many of his top receivers are gone from last season, but there are several talented players returning. Gotkowski will play his college football at Miami, OH.
PATRICK CLACKS III, CROWN POINT: Let’s go North for our next candidate. Clacks played at Andrean last season and will make his debut with CP August 18. Last season, Clacks caught 78 passes for 1,138 yards and 14 TD’s. The question will be if Crown Point has a QB that can get him the football.
JALEN ALEXANDER, HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN: There is a reason HSE in in our pre-season top 10. Jalen Alexander helped the Royals to a 12-1 season as a junior by rushing for 1,533 yards and scoring 15 TD’s. If HSE is to make another run for a state title, Alexander will be expected to have a huge season. Alexander will play his college football at Ball State.
BRAUNTAE JOHNSON, FORT WAYNE NORTH SIDE: Now to the Northeast side of the state. Johnson is another in-state player who will play college football at Notre Dame. Johnson helped turn the program around with a steller junior campaign (69 receptions, 1,081 yards and 16 TD.) Johnson is as good of an athlete there is in Indiana.
MYLAN GRAHAM, NEW HAVEN: Graham isn’t the biggest receiver in Indiana, but the future Ohio State Buckeye is as good as it gets in the country. Graham caught 48 passes last season for 1,149 yards and 13 touchdowns. Graham will help Bulldogs improve on a 5-5 season of last year. Many feel Graham is the best football player in Indiana.
DANNY O’NEIL, CATHEDRAL: I know, you were wondering when we would get to O’Neil. The Irish have one of the most “pure” passers in the state. He rarely makes a bad throw. O’Neil will play college football at Colorado under Deion Sanders. O’Neil passed for 2,654 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior and will surpass 6,000 passing yards for his career.
GLENN PATTERSON, LAFAYETTE JEFF: Patterson plays in the NCC and that can’t help because the conference is top heavy and lacks enough good teams. Patterson rushed for 1,376 yards and scored 13 touchdowns last season. Patterson was an all-state selection as a junior.
JOSH RINGER, EAST CENTRAL: Ringer may be the best RB in the state. The Miami, OH recruit led the Trojans to the 4A state title by rushing for 2,368 yards and scoring 39 TD’s. Ringer may rush for more yards this season and another state title isn’t out of the question.
IAN MOORE, NEW PALESTINE: Another Indiana player headed for Ohio State. The 6-5 295 pound offensive lineman is undoubtedly the best in the state and should win the Indiana Mr. Football award for linemen.
STYLES PRESCOD, HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN. Prescod is a late blumer, but he worked his butt off last season and college coaches took notice. The Notre Dame recruit probably won’t win the Mr. Football award, but his name will be up for every other award.
KHOBIE MARTIN, FISHERS: Martin has good size (6-0 200) and will play his college football at Miami,OH. Martin rushed for 1,194 yards and 16 TD’s. Martin will throw his name in the hat if the Tigers can beat HSE.
KEEP AN EYE ON:
BRAXTON BIRNER, MACONAQUAH
JACE STUCKY, TRITON CENTRAL
OWEN WANNER, SOUTH ADAMS
ADAM PAUL KUNKEL, SOUTH DEARBORN
MASON REYNOLDS, AVON
JOE WIDMER, BENTON CENTRAL
DJ GORSON, PARK TUDOR
TREY ROMINGER, PAOLI
ANTHONY SCHUH, TRITON
ALEX DEMMING, ROCHESTER
GREYSON THOMAS, NEW PALESTINE
TEAGAN BENNETT, LAWRENCEBURG
LANCE MOSER, BREMAN
LOGAN SHOFFNER, NOBLESVILLE
AHMAAD DUFF, LAWRENCE CENTRAL
NICK WITTE, LAPEL
OWEN BRIGHT, CENTER GROVE
NYLAN BROWN, BEN DAVIS
DONOVAN HAMILTON, HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN
JADEN HART, MICHIGAN CITY
]ASHTON PESETSKI, CARROLL (FORT WAYNE)
AIDAN STEINFELDT, BLOOMINGTON NORTH