It is a week of honoring the best in northeast Indiana high school football for 2019 as Outside the Huddle unveils its all-area teams.
The week of accolades will culminate on Friday with the OTH Player of the Year.
We begin today with a look at the best on offense in Classes 1-3.
QB – James Arnold, junior, South Adams
What does a record-breaking QB look like? When it comes to northeast Indiana, it looks like the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Arnold, who is already South Adams’ all-time leading passer with one year of eligibility remaining.
Arnold averaged 264 passing yards per game for the Starfires, finishing with 3,168 yards through the air and 43 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He was named Class 1A Junior All-State by the IFCA.
RB – Amir Drew, junior, Concordia Lutheran
This year was the second 1,000-yard rushing season for Drew in his prep career, finishing with 1,371 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also added 11 receptions for 159 yards and a score.
A bullying runner with some speed to boot, Drew has been and will continue to be a mainstay of the Cadets offense.
RB – Jake Fulk, senior, Churubusco
Arguably no player had the impact on his team’s success more than Fulk. The two-way standout made the Eagles’ offense go from his running back spot, amassing 1,812 yards and 20 touchdowns on the year. Defenses keyed on Fulk all season long, knowing that to take away the senior meant to effectively marginalize the ‘Busco offensive attack.
Defensively, Fulk finished with 29 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss.
WR – Drew Stutzman, junior, South Adams
Just one of a myriad of weapons at Arnold’s disposal in the pass game, Stutzman finished tops on the Starfires with 16 receiving touchdowns.
Overall, the junior hauled in 32 passes for 766 yards and was named First Team All-ACAC and Class 1A Junior All-State by the IFCA.
WR – Wade Miller, junior, Eastside
At barely 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds, Miller isn’t the type of kid you would expect to put up the receiving numbers he did. The junior helped Eastside to its first sectional championship in school history by catching 30 passes for 509 yards and seven touchdowns.
Miller was named First Team All-NECC and will be a weapon for QB Laban Davis again in 2020.
WR – Trevor Wallace, senior, Woodlan
One of quarterback Ben Reidy’s primary weapons, Wallace led the Warriors in receptions (37), receiving yards (409) and receiving touchdowns (four). He also added 243 rushing yards and a score.
Wallace was also an impact player along the edge on defense, making 46 tackles and 11 TFL. He also punted for Woodlan, averaging 34.2 yards per boot.
WR/TE – Nick Miller, junior, South Adams
Arguably the best two-way player in northeast Indiana regardless of conference. Miller’s ability to affect the game in all facets helped the Starfires win their first 12 games of the season.
Miller hauled in 35 passes for 822 yards and eight touchdowns offensively. On defense, he finished with 66 tackles, 20.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles and recovered three. He also punted 20 times and averaged 33.9 yards per attempt.
Miller was named to the 1A Junior All-State Team chosen by the IFCA.
OL – Dustin Barkley, senior, Churubusco
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound center was the impetus of an Eagles rushing attack that finished the season with 3,148 rushing yards.
Defensively, Barkley put up 48 tackles, eight TFL and a pair of sacks. He was named All-NECC First Team.
OL – Chase Leeper, senior, Eastside
If you were able to beat Leeper up front, you definitely earned it. The 310-pound beast was an immovable option most Friday nights for the Blazers. He was named All-NECC First Team for his exploits.
Leeper also saw action on defense, picking up 19 tackles.
OL – Joe Colbert, senior, Norwell
The Knights picked up five wins this season with a strong defense and an improved offense. Colbert helped open holes up front from his center spot. He was named First Team All-NE8.
OL – Caleb Augsberger, senior, South Adams
The Starfires had plenty of talent at the skill positions, but it would not have mattered if the guys up front were not up to snuff. Augsberger was one of those linemen who shined all season long. He earned All-ACAC Second Team honors along the offensive front, but also added 44 tackles and 4.5 TFL on defense.
OL – Corbin Hirschey, sophomore, Adams Central
The youth movement did not only take over at the skill spots for the Flying Jets, it also took 2019 by storm in the trenches as well. Hirschey was one of the more underappreciated members of the sophomore class for AC on the run to semistate, but he was integral enough to be named First Team All-ACAC.
K – Jaiden Baker, junior, Eastside
A 10-win team needs a solid placekicker and the Blazers had one in Baker. The junior hit 41-of-43 PATs on the season while also adding a 23-yard field goal.
ATHLETE – Aidan Wanner, sophomore, South Adams
A jack-of-all-trades for the Starfires, Wanner opened the season at quarterback for the Starfries as Arnold worked back from an injury. All he did was throw five touchdowns on 10 completions over two games.
Wanner moved to wideout upon Arnold’s return, catching 39 passes for 1,002 yards and 14 touchdowns. He finished with 63 tackles and four INTs. He also kicked and punted for South Adams, hitting 59-of-65 PATs.
ATHLETE – Brandon Pruitt, senior, West Noble
The future cadet at the Naval Academy abused opponents all year long at both linebacker and running back.
On offense, Pruitt rushed for 1,394 yards and 14 touchdowns, surpassing the 100-yard mark in eight games. On defense, he accumulated 84 tackles, 27 TFL and 10 sacks, as well as five forced fumbles.
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