As we move into week four of the high school football season, we want to take a look at who some of the top players and teams are so far. Through 1/3 of the high school football regular season, who is catching Outside the Huddle’s attention in the Northeast 8 Conference?
TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMER
QB GREG BOLT, JUNIOR, COLUMBIA CITY
It was expected that Bolt would be able to light up opposing defenses with his arm, but it has been the senior’s running prowess that has truly helped him emerge as the top offensive standout in the NE8 through three weeks.
Bolt is averaging 8.9 yards per rush, accumulating 268 yards and four TDs on the ground. Add in his 568 yards passing and nine scores and it is easy to see why Bolt is the pick here.
However, the schedule has not been overly difficult. The schedule toughens up over the final six weeks.
Contenders: Jakar Williams, New Haven; Kaeden Miller, Leo; Justin Marcellus, East Noble.
TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMER
S ROWAN ZOLMAN, JUNIOR, EAST NOBLE
Zolman has only played two weeks and will likely miss a few more games until he returns, but those two weeks were telling.
The junior two-way stud amassed a trio of INTs and a fumble recovery in East Noble’s first two victories. He also has 18 tackles and has been an impact player on offense at wide receiver as well.
Zolman may very well be the best defensive back in northeast Indiana.
Contenders: Treyton Lomont, Columbia City; Isaac Carswell, New Haven.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
KAEDEN MILLER, JUNIOR, LEO
All Leo had to do this season was replace First Team All-ACAC stud Peyton Wall in the backfield. Easy enough, right?
Miller has made it look easy, leading the Lions in rushing in each of the first two games, including going over 100 yards in a 17-0 blanking of Norwell in Week 3. So far this year, Miller has rushed for 256 yards and three scores, has returned a punt for a TD and is averaging 9 yards per reception.
Miller and the running game have been so effective that quarterback Jackson Barbour has not had to shoulder much of the load in the passing game, at least not yet.
Contenders: Lane Woodson III, New Haven; Garrett Johnson, Huntington North; Rylan Crawford, Leo.
TOP NEWCOMER
KAINON CARICO, JUNIOR, EAST NOBLE
Carico burst onto the scene last year in the state championship game when Justin Marcellus went down with an injury, but we are including him in the “newcomer” category because, quite frankly, we make the rules.
The junior has not touched the ball much offensively, but on defense he has been a terror, averaging 10.7 tackles per game through three weeks. He also has four TFL and a sack.
Contenders: Luke Graft, Norwell; Aden Dennis, Huntington North.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
NEW HAVEN
This was a stretch, as much of the NE8 has gone according to plan through the first third of the year. But it was a slight surprise to see the Bulldogs go to Pioneer, the No. 1 team in Class 2A, and get a dub in Week 3.
Coach Jimmy Linn has this team confident entering a pivotal game against Leo this Friday. Will it be a surprise if the Bulldogs pull off the win and go to 4-0? Only a pleasant one.
Contenders: Huntington North.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
CORONAVIRUS
The ‘rona has robbed both Bellmont and DeKalb of multiple games, with both having played just once through three weeks.
The positive is that most of the conference season was not affected by the issue, and here is hoping both DeKalb and Bellmont emerge from the other end at full strength and ready to compete for the rest of the season.
Contenders: N/A
CONFERENCE FAVORITE
EAST NOBLE
Until a team dethrones the three-time defending champs, the Knights rule the NE8.
That said, we at OTH believe the gap has shrunk. Leo looks strong enough to contend with an East Noble team that lacks much in the way of experience up front. Could a fast and physical Lions defense put enough pressure on Dalton Stinson at QB?
We will get some answers in Week 5, but New Haven wants something to say about the league title as well.
Contenders: Leo, New Haven.
These opinions represent those of Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers.
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