Outside the Huddle and Blitz are counting down who it feels are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2020 season.
Today, we unveil five of the best in the area at positions No. 15-12.
No. 15: Amir Drew, Concordia Lutheran – Senior, RB
While it may feel that Drew has been around for a decade, the truth is that he enters the 2020 campaign facing his final prep season.
One of the more determined and solid all-around backs around, Drew rushed for 1,371 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2019. He also added 11 receptions for 159 yards and a score.
Drew is naturally built like a running back, with a tough, solid upper body and strong legs that help him shake off arm tackles and bowl his way through small holes. He has a chance to eclipse 1,500 yards rushing this season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON AMIR DREW
“Amir is a player who has run for quite a few yards for us over the course of the past two years, so we certainly expect more of the same this year. He comes up pretty big for us on Friday nights and is a consistent performer in games.” – Concordia Lutheran coach Tim Mannigel
No. 14: Chris Hood, East Noble – Junior, OT
A year ago, Hood was the newbie on an offensive line of upperclassmen, but the experience gained in the run to the 4A state title game is going to pay off in a big way in 2020.
At 6-foot-8 and 320 pounds, Hood is impossible to miss on the football field. His play backs up his size as he is capable of pancaking opponents and getting out in front of running plays.
Now considered a veteran, this year will be a breakout season for Hood, who should begin turning heads as one of the more fearsome offensive linemen in the area.
COACH’S QUOTE ON CHRIS HOOD
“Chris will play a huge part in our offense in 2020. He is only a junior, but gained so much valuable experience as a starter on a great offensive line a year ago. We will need Chris to expand his role and become the leader of our offensive line, encouraging his teammates and being a leader on and off the field. I have tremendous confidence ‘Big Chris’ will be a HUGE force for our offense this year!” – East Noble coach Luke Amstutz
No. 13: Brenden Lytle, Bishop Dwenger – Senior, QB/DB
While more of a game manager for most of his sophomore season before a playoff run that saw him come up big, Lytle emerged as an offensive leader and difficult weapon to contain in 2019.
Lytle threw for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns a season ago and added nearly 200 yards rushing as well. While Bishop Dwenger’s offensive philosophy doesn’t demand a quarterback to sling it downfield repeatedly, Lytle is good enough to do that while also staying within the offense and being a captain in the huddle.
With Bishop Dwenger’s sights set high in 2020, Lytle is the veteran signalcaller that could be the difference.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BRENDEN LYTLE
“Brenden is a fantastic young man first and foremost. He’s a great leader, commands the huddle, has great knowledge of the game, highly competitive and skilled…all you want in a quarterback.” – Bishop Dwenger coach Brenden Lytle
No. 12: Domanick Moon, Snider – Junior, LB
One of the gems of the junior class that is getting a lot of hype in D1 recruiting circles, Moon is a built in the mold of your prototypical inside linebacker. At 6-2, 225, when he hits you it will hurt. And with his above average speed, Moon can track down speedsters on SAC teams that other linebackers couldn’t.
Last season, Moon amassed 29 tackles and a sack, but this year will see him being a headliner in a rebuilt Snider defense.
Scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Syracuse and Toledo could be just the beginning for Moon, who still has two years of eligibility remaining.
COACH’S QUOTE ON DOMANICK MOON
“Domanick returns as our most experienced LB. Through a ton of hard work in the offseason he has put on 15 pounds and really prepared himself to anchor our defense. He is one of the guys that will lead our defense” – Snider coach Kurt Tippmann
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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